IMMIGRATION JOB TEST TRAGEDY: OVER 16 FEARED DEAD

C M Y K

PAGE 2 — SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014, PAGE 3

C M Y K

PAGE 4 —SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 16, 2014

Ife Day and the Gala Night 2014 A pre-gala night and the Ife Day 2014 grand finale was held at the Technical College, Ifewara road, Ile Ife, State of Osun, on Saturday. Pictures by Dare Fasube

•From left ,Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, •From left, Oba Adekunle Almaroof, Olufon of Ifon, Osun Senator Iyiola Omisore and Prof. Wale Oladipo. and Chief Stephen Oyetade

•Chief Alex Duduyemi and Senator Iyiola Omisore. •Cross section of royal fathers

•Members of Osun State Cultural troop that entertained at the event.

I

LE-IFE, the cradle of the Yoruba, yesterday, played host to eminent personalities including politicians and captains of industry as it celebrated Ife Day. The guests include the governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, the Minister for Police Affairs, Alhaji Abdul Jelili Adesiyan, Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, one of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) gubernatorial aspirants in Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, and Mallam Yusuf Ali, SAN. At the event, held at Government Technical College, Ifewara Road, Ile Ife, Yusuf Ali, who was chairman of the occasion, harped on the need for Yoruba leaders to embrace unity for the growth of the race.

Describing the Yoruba as the most homogenous tribal group in Nigeria, the senior advocate said, “There is need for leaders of the Yoruba to preach, promote and practise inclusive regional integration, which can further advance the cause and collective interest of the race”.

He added, “State creC M Y K

ation was only meant for administrative convenience and not to divide the people. It is undoubted that there is strength in unity.

Sadly, Yorubaland is the most divided. A situation where Yoruba are expected to put forward names of people for national programmes and responsibilities and only names from one group are forwarded will further polarise the people”.

Earlier, the President of Ife Development Board (IDB), Professor Muibi Opeloye, stated that Ife Day was designed to promote community self-help projects, believing that no government could cater for all the basic needs of the communities alone.

He added that with the theme of this year celebration, “Industrialization For Youth Development”, IDB intended to encourage small and medium scale businesses to tackle unemployment challenges, which have forced youths to take to perilous commercial motorcycle business otherwise known as Okada.

Opeloye, however, urged the Federal Government to ensure resumption of work at Ife Dam project as well as the dualisation of Mayfair-Iremo-Ilesa Road.

On the forthcoming gover-

•Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, flanked by his Oloris.

•From left Chief Adeyeye Adekola, Aguro of •From left ,Hon Kehinde Bamigbetan, Mr Gbenga Ifeland,Chief SF Omisakin and Chief Joop Berck- Adefaye and Mr Ladi Awotinde. hoot.

IFE DAY: Fayemi, Obanikoro, Omisore others preach Yoruba unity

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE, Osogbo

•From left, Mallam Yussuf Alli (SAN) Chairman, and Prince Toye Ariyo, Chief Launcher.

norship election in Osun, he advised leaders in various political parties to give peace a chance in preparing for the poll, stressing that “we should avoid all forms if acrimony, discord and political thuggery”.

BY DAYO JOHNSON, Akure

T

HE Nigerian Com munications Commission (NCC), yesterday, raised the alarm that vandalisation of telecommunication equipment across the country contributes negatively to quality and

L-R: Shows Hon Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Lagos State, Hon Dr. Femi Hamzat, representing Gov Fashola, with the Host Bishop, Diocese of Lagos Mainland, Methodist Church Nigeria, Rt Revd Isaac Ayobami Olawuyi, the Lay President, Sir Olatunde Okesola and the former Lay President, Diocese of Lagos Mainland, Sir David Soremekun, at the 2014 Annual 20th Synod of the Diocese of Lagos Mainland hosted, by the Yaba circuit, Lagos.

NCC alarmed over telecom equipment vandalisation availability of services.

Consequently, the Commission appealed to state governors to assist in the passage of a law that would classify and protect telecommunication equipment as critical infrastructure.

Its Chairman, Engineer Peter Igoh, who led other management staff on a courtesy visit to Governor Olusegun Mimiko, in Akure, explained that the eqipment “ would come under special protection of government.

Igoh said sometimes substantial lenghts of fibre optics cables are inexplicably destroyed, disconnecting millions of subscribers at a time. ” Sometimes, ignorance

plays a part as many may not apppreciate the need for massive infrastructure for telecom service,” he said. ”For instance, in the UK, there are more than 65,000 base stations for telecommunications services, in a land mass that is far less than Nigeria’s. ” Nigeria is yet to achieve 25,000 installations across its huge land mass, yet many feel that we already have enough and are defacing the environment.”

He noted that given the scenerio of infrastructure deficit, “the situation on ground becomes very discouraging as the service providers are forced to depend on very few base stations to serve the populace”.

UBA GMD/CEO, Phillips Oduoza, calls for financially smart kids

P

HILLIPS Oduoza, the Group Managing Director of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has called on parents to ensure that their children become financially smart at an early age. “Financially smart kids will become financially smart and wealthier adults,” he said.

He gave the advice while

teaching students of Crowther Memorial College , Lokoja, Kogi State , financial literacy skills.

The GMD/CEO took students through the basics of savings, budgeting, pensions, insurance and investments. “When we were growing up, no one thought us about money. We were thought biology, physics

chemistry, economics, but nothing about money. Yet we all grow up realizing money is something we have to deal with everyday.

That is why the Banker’s Committee, with the Central Bank of Nigeria , decided to embark on this initiative,” Oduoza said.

Oduoza also explained that UBA decided to come

all the way to Lokoja to carry out its financial literacy training because it realizes such education should not be restricted to students in the big cities only. He advised the students to take an interest in knowing about money as it will make them better adults in future.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 16, 2014 — PAGE 5

Female banker defrauds Emir of Kano

BY JIDE AJANI

T

HE princely amount of N46 million in the dormant bank account of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero,

was simply irresistible for the young female banker.

So the suspect, Amina Magaji, was prepared to risk everything to reactivate the account and convert part of the balance there in to her use. The account was said to have been opened in 1967 but went dormant later. The suspect allegedly applied for a cheque book, got it and began to operate the account. By the time the bubble burst, she had, according to a source, withdrawn N17million from the account. Amina, alongside 12 other staffers of the old generation bank, is answering questions from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on the alleged fraud.

The suspect is allegedly married to a senior staff of a broadcast organisation.

Amina, believed to be in her late 30s, allegedly began systematic withdrawal from the monarch’s account since 2011 before she ran out of luck when her boss discovered discrepancies in the Emir’s signature.

An EFCC source disclosed that the suspected fraudster requested for a cheque book purportedly on the order of Bayero which the bank obliged her, but, unknown to other bank officials, the cheque book remained in her custody.

She consequently used the cheque to make withdrawals from the monarch’s account.

Bank sources revealed that Amina within the last four years withdrew N17 million from the Emir ’s account before the scam blew open.

The EFCC source said the matter was reported to the anti graft agency for appropriate action, stressing that “consequent upon that, we invited and quizzed 12

staffers closely related to the account”.

An EFCC operative, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard on the condition of anonymity, revealed that “preliminary investigations indicate that many of them have case to answer as we are able to establish conspiracy and negligence on the part of those connected with the monitoring and control of the bank account in question”.

It was learnt that “the bank has raised the alleged stolen money through the

12 staffers quizzed by the EFCC and returned same to the Emir while the principal suspect has been fired as part of measures adopted by the bank to restore confidence.”.

In the meantime, the principal suspect is said to be cooling her feet in the EFCC custody pending the completion of investigation into the case.

EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwajeren, confirmed the story; but refused to go any further.

Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke at the commissioning of the $5.5billion Ikom water scheme. With him is the Chairman of Ikom Local Government Council, Mr. Ebam Emanghe at the ceremony yesterday

AS FULANI HERDSMEN FIRE RAGES...

200 killed in Kaduna

BY LUKA BINNIYAT, PETER DURU & NDAHI MARAMA

B

arely four days after suspected Fulani herdsmen struck in Benue State killing 37, three villages in Kaduna State, yesterday, suffered another attack, allegedly by Fulani herdsmen in which about 200 were feared dead.

The attacked villages in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State were reportedly razed.

The fresh attack came just as explosions rocked Maiduguri, Borno State capital, the scene of Friday’s assault by insurgents that claimed scores of lives, yesterday.

Also, yesterday, Tse Ortom – Adorogo in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, home town of the Minister of State for Trade and Investment and Supervising Minister of Aviation, Dr Samuel Ortom, was reportedly sacked by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

‘Firing into homes’ The Kaduna villages in which about 200 were reportedly killed were identified as Sankwai, Tekum and Unguwarr Gata inhabited by native Moroa people in Manchok chiefdom, about 250km south of Kaduna metropolis,

SOLUTION

the capital of Kaduna State.

Kaduna State police spokesman, DSP Aminu Lawan, who confirmed the attack, said he could not ascertain the casualty figure, saying detectives had been sent to the affected villages to verify the situation of things.

According to Gideon Bughu, 45, from Sankwai village, some gunmen first came on Friday night and attacked the village. He said the gunmen numbered over 50. Some gunmen, he stated, later came, yesterday, around 4am, and attacked the other villages.

“They fired into homes”, he told Sunday Vanguard on phone. “As women and children scampered to escape, they were shot and later cut with machetes. They they set our homes on fire. If you stayed inside, you were burnt.

If you run out, they shoot at you. The men stayed inside, so most of those burnt were men. But the villagers managed to kill some of the Fulani men, some of whom wore army uniform”, he said.

“I escaped but I have bullet wounds as I speak. I am at an hospital somewhere in Jos. “I am told that about 45 people in my village were burnt. And 30 shot and cut with machetes.”

Investigation by Sunday Vanguard showed that similar attacks were carried out in Tekum and Unguwar Gata. In Unguwar Gata, sources put deaths figure at between 75 and 80 while, in Tekum, those who died were said to be between 60 and 70 with scores injured.

“There is not one house standing in Tekum and Ungwan Gata now”, a source said. It was gathered that corpses littered the bush in the villages while smoke could be seen billowing into the air there at the time of this report.

Kaduna State police spokesman, Lawan, in a telephone chat, said: “I have been briefed by the District Police Officer in Manchok that three villages in that axis were attacked with a number of casualtiy and some homes burnt. But I cannot tell you the number of casualty now.

We have sent detectives to the place to ascertain what happenned. We have also sent

troops who are now combing the surrounding hills for the murderers. We also gathered that the villagers were able to kill some of the invaders.”

Insurgents regroup In Borno State, the 24-hour curfew imposed on Maiduguri and environs following the deadly clash between terrorists and military who foiled an attack on Giwa Barracks, on Friday, was, yesterday, relaxed.

The curfew relaxation came with multiple explosions in the state capital.

The explosions caused pandemonium among residents, as it was alleged that insurgents regrouped and launched attacks on barracks in the town which led to a gun battle with security forces.

An eye witness at Giwa Barracks told our correspondent that “the multiple explosions and sporadic gunshots have forced many residents around the area to flee so that they would not be caught in the crossfire”.

Efforts to speak to the state police commissioner, Mr. LAWAL TANKO, proved abortive as calls to his phone were not answered.

Meanwhile, Borno State government, yesterday, relaxed the curfew imposed on Maiduguri, following the attack on the state capital by suspected members of Boko Haram on Friday.

The curfew on the city now starts from 9pm and ends 6am daily.

The new time was communicated in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ambassador Baba Ahmad Jidda.

100 houses razed In the Benue attack, yesterday, 100 houses and huts were razed in the villages less than 45 kilometers from Awe local government area of Nasarawa State. The Trade Minister, Ortom, who led top government functionaries and associates to Gbajimba to sympathize and donate relief materials to displaced victims, discovered that his country home had been razed by the attackers with his kinsmen fleeing to safety.

The minister fought back tears as he inspected the communities, describing the assault as “an act of terrorism and carnage.”

Military make gains A statement issued by Director, Defence Information/co-

ordinator, Major-General AC Olukolade, reads: Troops have captured a massive armoury with arms and ammunition dump of the terrorists sited in one of the camps that fell yesterday night in the ongoing counter terrorists operations. The large quantities of weapons recovered in the raid are still being evacuated from the scene of the night raid where several terrorists died. Similar operations took place in coordination with the troops of Multi-National Joint Task Force in the raids in other camps located in the outskirts of Duguri, Polkime, Malafatori and other locations around the fringes of Lake Chad.

Substantial money in different currencies and denominations were also recovered from the camps. A total of seven terrorists were captured in the operation during which altogether a soldier died while five were wounded. *Update on the Foiled Attack on Giwa Barracks*

In another development, troops conducting cordon and search for remnants of the daring terrorists who attacked Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri yesterday, had an encounter with some of the surviving terrorists in the general area of Kayamla and Alu Dam in the outskirts of Maiduguri this morning. More of the terrorists have been killed and arrested in the ongoing encounters.

Those captured in the encounter are providing useful information towards the discovery of other hide outs of the daring terrorists. It has been revealed that the terrorists are now desperate to either free or kill the ones being detained, with a view to avenging or preventing further revelations about their operations and hide outs as this has been frustrating their plans lately. More bodies of fleeing terrorists have been discovered along the routes of their escape. Troops morale and fighting spirit have been further boosted by the outcome of the operations so far.

Meanwhile, cordon and search as well as patrols and pursuit by air and land is continuing in the entire mission area of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.

NATIONAL CONFAB: Aginighan counsels Ijaw delegates, lauds Jonathan otwithstanding the N exclusion of the Ijaw from Ondo, Edo and Akwa

Ibom States from the National Conference slated to be inaugurated tomorrow, a former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Pastor P.Z. Aginighan, has asked Ijaw people representing other states at the conference to protect the interest of all Ijaw at the exercise.

Aginighan, in a statement, yesterday, commended President Goodluck Jonathan for initiating the conference to address structural challenges in the polity.

“I wish to place on record my displeasure at the omission of the Ijaw in Ondo State, Edo State and AkwaIbom State from the list of delegates to the conference.

The Ijaw in these three states have peculiar challenges arising from their minority status. It would have been desirable to give them the opportunity to state their case themselves,” he said.

“While I particularly congratulate Chief (Dr) Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, Professor Kimse Okoko, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, Ambassador Lawrence Ekpebu, Mr Atedo Peterside and other Ijaw who made the list, I urge them to not only to see themselves as representatives of the various states or platforms on which they were selected but also as representatives of the entire Ijaw ethnic nationality comprising Arogbo and Apoi clans in Ondo, Egbema, Olodiama, Inikorogha, Okomu and Furupagha Clans in Edo State, the Ijaw in Delta, the Ijaw in Bayelsa, the Ijaw in Rivers and Eastern Obolo and Ibeno Clans of Akwa-Ibom States.

“There is no gainsaying that the Ijaw delegates to the Conference can only effectively deliver on their mandate if they consult very widely with all Ijaw, both at home and abroad, and work in synergy with the Ijaw National Congress, the Ijaw Nation’s umbrella body”.

PAGE 6 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 16, 2014

Continued from page 1 centres of the National Immigration Service (NIS), held across the country, yesterday, told the story of Nigeria’s frightening unemployment situation.

In Lagos and Abuja alone, 56,000 and 69,000 applicants respectively sat for the job test.

Thousands of others took the exercise in other state capitals. NIS allegedly raked N6billion from the applicants as processing fee.

Each applicant paid N1,000.

At the National Stadium, Abuja, which was the centre for the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, eight applicants were reported dead.

Four others were feared dead at the Port Harcourt, Rivers State centre, three in Minna, Niger State and one in Benin-City, Edo State.

Unconfirmed reports claimed the Benin-City victim was a pregnant applicant.

Stampede was reported in Akure where 12,000 were invited for the test.

Thousands of certificates were allegedly lost at the Ondo State centre.

At the Abuja centre, the thousands of applicants were overwhelmed with emotions as eight of their colleagues were allegedly taken to the mortuary. About 50 were said to have fainted and several others injured.

The tragedy, it was learnt, happened in the morning when the crowd of applicants was trying to gain entry into the test venue.

The test eventually started around 3.30p.m.

One of the applicants at the centre, Abubakar Isah Wada, told Sunday Vanguard, yesterday.

Immigration: Over 16 feared dead “Government is not treating unemployed youths well. Due to this disorganised nature of our country and lack of discipline, some persons died this morning and several fainted,” Wada said.

“Government needs to recognise the plight of unemployed graduates and not waste time and money on issues that are not important to the development of this country”.

Another applicant said: “Immigration (NIS) should have divided the applicants and run this test on different days rather than bringing all of us here like this to pass through this suffering. If President Jonathan really wants to come back in 2015, this is his ticket”.At the National Hospital, Abuja, the Director of Management Information, Mr Tayo Haastrup, confirmed the death of seven persons and 40 sustaining various degrees of injuries in the stampede at the recruitment venue.

Poor crowd control At the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt venue where four applicants reportedly died, no fewer than 23, 000 sat for the test.

Some of the applicants blamed the incident on poor crowd control. According to them, the 16,000 capacity stadium was relatively small to accommodate the 23,000 that turned up for the exercise.

They said security men had a hectic time controlling the crowd of applicants. “Some applicants who were finding it difficult to get into the stadium suddenly started pushing their way through. Some persons reportedly stepped on those who fell on the ground,” an eye witness said.

Introduction: t was first identified in 1880 in Aberdeen, UK by a surgeon Sir Alexander Ogston. Staphylococcus species refers to grampositive bacteria which appear grape-shaped when checked under a microscope. The most common strain known to man is the staphylococcus aureus, staph aureus look like bunches of grapes under a microscope.

Staph aureus lives harmlessly on the skin of most people and in the nose of about one third of normal healthy people. However, staph aureus becomes problematic when it gets the opportunity to enter the body.

Taxonomically, staphylococcus is in the bacterial family staphylococcaceae. The bacteria forms colonies wherever found. Staph aureus usually forms a yellow colony. They grow in clusters.

Staph aureus are approximately 0.5-1.5mm in diameter. They are non-mobile (do not move by self) and non-spore-forming. They produce very dangerous enterotoxins (poisons) when in the body.

Staph aureus is the leading cause of food poisoning resulting from the consumption of food contaminated with enterotoxins (poisons) from the bacteria.

I

*Dr. Qumas

According to him security men had to fire shots into the air to stop those still outside from pushing to get inside the stadium. “ More persons would have died if the security men had not shot into the air. The shot stopped those who were outside from pushing in “, he stated.

Some of the applicants said they lost the originals of their certificate during the commotion. Sunday Vanguard gathered that a pregnant woman was among those who died from exhaustion.

But the spokesman for the NIS in Rivers State, Mr Bisong Abang, denied deaths during the stampede.

He however said those who sustained injuries were treated by medics on ground, adding that those who turned up for the screening exercise far exceeded the number of app l i c a n t s .

Some critical cases were rushed in an army ambulance vehicle with registration number NA 307 EOI to hospital for medical attention.

Applicants were still being attended to by NIS officials at the time our correspondent left the stadium.

Examiner confused At the Minna centre, four of the 11,000 applicants were said to have died while scrambling to gain access into the examination hall.The candidates had reportedly been subjected to standing on the queue for several hours while the chief examiner was calling the applicants into the hall. It was learnt that the candidates, having waited for hours and becoming restless, started shunting which led to a stampede leaving the exam-

iners confused.In an effort to bring orderliness, officers of the NIS stationed at the Women’s Day Secondary School, venue of the test, fired cannisters of teargas into the crowd.

This led to several of the applicants falling down and trampled upon.Three of them were reportedly confirmed dead. The remains of the applicants, it was learnt, were deposited at the Minna General Hospital.

Contacted,Controller of Immigration in Minna, Ezekiel Kaura, confirmed that five people were rushed to hospital after the stampede but could not confirm how many people died. He also said 11,000 applicants were ex-

pected to sit for the test.

Many of the 12,000 applicants, who sat for the examination at the CAC Grammar School, Akure, lost their certificates in the stampede that attended the exercise.

Tragic turn The NIS recruitment exercise in Benin-City turned tragic when a pregnant woman died at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Benin-city venue after collapsing. About 20 others were said to have been injured. She reportedly died in a stampede. The 20,000 applicants who came from different states of the Southsouth thronged the stadium at about 5am but it was learnt that screening could not start

till about 2:30pm.

Many of the applicants complained bitterly that the exercise was poorly conducted and wondered why people could be subjected to such inhuman treatment.

PDP shocked by deaths In the meantime, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, challenged government agencies, as well as elected and appointed officials at all levels to redouble their efforts to curb unemployment in the country, just as it described the death of the NIS applicants as shocking and u n f o r t u n a t e .

In a statement by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief OlisaMetuh,theparty,whilecalling for investigation into the remote and immediate cause, said it was extremely grieved by the death of the young Nigerians.

Anyaoku, Orji, others mourn Nwechue

BY HUGO ODIOGOR & ANAYO OKOLI RIBUTES, yesterday, continued to pour in for the former President-General of Ohanaeze-Ndigbo, Ambassador Ralph Uwechue, who passed on at the National Hospital, Abuja on Thursday. Nwechue was aged 80. A former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, described him as “an uncommon pan-Africanist and a true Nigerian patriot.”

Governor Theodore Orji of Abia said the death was shocking while Anioma professionals and a member of the House of Representatives (Aniocha/Oshimili Constitency), Hon. Ndudi Godwin Elumelu, were sad. In a tribute, Anyaoku said Uwechue was an uncommon panAfricanist and a true Nigerian patriot. “He loved his people Ndigbo and his country Niger-

T

ia in equal measure. He was an embodiment of the qualities of good leadership and devotion to public service,” the former top diplomat said.

He went on: “Ralph Uwechue’s career stretched from unblemished period in Nigeria’s diplomatic service until, driven by his strong sense of equity and common humanity, he reacted to the mass killing of Ndigbo in Northern Nigeria in 1966 by sympathising with Biafra at the beginning of the civil war.

“He later went into journalism by publishing for a while the widely read Africa Magazine and ultimately producing Know Africa, a major historical work on Africa’s story and its leaders which continues to be reference books of inestimable value to students and the reading public.

“Ralph Uwechue’s passion for service and democracy in Nigeria led him into politics where he was not only a stalwart in the opposition to Abacha’s dictator-

ship through NADECO, but was subsequently chosen to be the presidential candidate of his party in Delta State.His last foray into major public service was his leadership of his people as the President-General of Ohanaeze-Ndigbo.

“Chief Ralph Uwechue’s death is a huge loss in the rank of our not so many citizens who have genuine passion and ideas for a stable and progressive Nigerian nation.”

Governo Orji, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Ajunwa, described Uwechue’s death as unfortunate.

Anioma professionals and Reps member, Elumelu, expressed sadness over the death of Uwaechue. Professor Pat Utomi, who leads the Anioma Economic Group, said “the death of Ambassador Uwaechue at this time is an irreparable loss to the Anioma nation and the people Nigeria in general”.

STAPHYLOCOCCUS: A great

threat to human wellness

By Yommy Dauda In Nigeria today, more than 60% of all individuals especially young people are carriers (persistent and intermittent) of the bacteria. That is to say, it is very rampant in our society.

Mode of transmission of staph infection 1. Ingestion of food contaminated with staph 2. Direct transmission through contact with infected person 3. Poor sanitary conditions 4. Crowded environment 5. Person to person transmission through patients or health workers 6. Sharing of unsterilized sharp objects like razors, scalpels, clippers, manicure and pedicure tools, etc.

7. Since it is found in nose, arm pit, anal region (male), mouth, breasts, hair, intestines, respiratory tract and genitourinary tract, it thus, makes it possible to be transmitted through sexual activities like deep seminal and vaginal secretions.

Signs and symptoms of infections caused by Staphylococus aureus 1. Boils 2. Osteomyelitis (bone infection) 3. Abdominal pain 4. Noisy abdomen 5. Abnormal vaginal discharge 6. Vaginal itching 7. Unusual movement in the body 8. Generalised body weakness 9. Pain before or after urination 10. Biting sensation in the male organ and testes 11. Waist pain

12. Back ache 13. Nausea (feeling the urge to vomit) 14. Vomiting 15. Urinary tract infections 16. Infection of the finger tips (paronychia) 17. Abnormal feeling of the skin especially palms and feet 18. Cramps 19. Cough 20. Blisters 21. Softening of the bones (osteosporosis) 22. Fever 23. Pain in the breasts 24. Dehydration (loss of body fluids) 25. Weight loss 26. Pain in the muscles (myalgia) 27. Heart abnormalities due to possible endocarditis (Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart) 28. Abnormal menstruation 29. Sudden skin eruptions like pimples 30. Hormonal unbalance 31. Halilosis (bad breath) Ccomplicationsof Staph Aureus If staph aureus is not properly treated, it may lead to the following complications: 1. Renal failure (kidney failure) 2. Myocardial infarction (heart attack) 3. Azoospermia (zero sperm count) 4. Oligospermia (low sperm count) 5. Infertility in women due to: A. Hormonal Inbalance B. Menstrual disorder C. Chronic infections especially pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) 6. Drop in body immunity 7. Death Detecting Staph Aureus Laboratory investigations such as the following may be carried out to defect the presence of the staph pathogen in the body: a. Urethral swab microscopy, culture and sensitivity b. Blood microscopy, culture and sensitivity Prognosis (outcome) of Staph Infection 1. The outcome of staphylococcal infection treatment depends on the extent to which the infection has spread.

The more the clusters in the body, the longer the duration of treatment.

2. The outcome of treatment also depends on whether antibiotics have been used indiscriminately. Those who engage in the indiscriminate use of antibiotics in treating staph may become prone to having the resistant strain of staph aureus such as the MRSA (Methicillin Resistant staphylococcus Aureus) or VRSA (Vancomycin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus).

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 16, 2014 — PAGE 7

Panic as fire alarm forces LagosAbuja plane to make air return

BY DANIEL ETEGHE

M

EDVIEW Air lines Flight 2102, departing Lagos for Abuja, yesterday, made air return to the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos shortly after take-off at 9:12 am with 94 passengers and five crew members following a false fire alarm raised by some passengers onboard.

The Boeing 737 aircraft, with registration number 5N-BPB, was forced to return to the Lagos airport at about 9:17am and landed safety with all 99 persons on board.

Acting Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Engr. Benedict Adeyileka, said the pilot made the air return as a precautionary measure to avert air disaster.

Adeyileka noted that the aircraft had to return as a result of flight fumes

observed in the aircraft which the passengers mistook for fire and reacted in panic. ”The captain of the aircraft took a decision to return to Lagos more from the danger of passenger reaction which may have destabilized the aircraft, rather than from the fumes.

This is in line with NCAA directive to pilots to return to base in case of doubts,” he said.

The NCAA boss explained that the agency had started investigation into the incident to ascertain the cause of the fumes, stressing that inspectors were on ground on routine ramp inspection at the time of the incident.

He stated that the aircraft had been grounded, pointing out that the NCAA would only release it when the agency had completed investigations that the aircraft was good to go into operations.

L – R: Gen. Sec. Pastor E. Okoye, Asst. Sec. E. Alisigwe; Treasurer Onyema O; Asst. Provost Emeka Aka , Chairman Mr. Nath. Anigbogu; PRO Bartho Onwuka (Soup) Fin. Sec. Haruna Abdullahi; Chief Provost Onyekelu .I., during the election of new executive for Olojo Drive and Environs Traders

Meanwhile, the General Manager, Public Affairs, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mr. Supo Atobatele, said the aircraft made the air return and landed safetly on runway18 left at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

Also the spokesman for the MedView Airlines, Mr. Oyibotha Obuke, said the aircraft made the air return some minutes after take-off due to a false fire alarm.

Obuke said that smoke was seen coming out of the cabin which triggered the alarm, noting that the pilot, in display of professionalism, made an air return immediately and landed safely.

Also confirming the air return, Coordinating Spokesperson, Aviation Parastatals, Yakubu Datti, said NCAA and the Accident Investigation Board, AIB, had commenced investigation into the air return.

Olojo Traders Association

A

nine-man exec utive council has been elected for Olojo Drive and Environs Traders.

The exco emerged in an election conducted by the Pastor Chike Nnajiled electoral commission.

The exco members are Mr Nathaniel Anigbogu (Chairman), Mr Abraham Ukah (aka Senator) (Vice Chairman), Pastor Ernest Okoye (General Secretary), Mr Edwin Alisigwe (Asst Gen. Sec.), Mr Haruna Abdullahi (Fin. Sec), Mr Onyema Okike (Treasurer), Mr Batholomew Onwuka (Black Soup) (PRO), Mr Innocent Onyekelu (Chief Provost) and Mr Chukwuemeka Eleke Aka (Asst. Provost).

The oath of office was administered on the exco members by Barrister P.C. Dike at the occasion attended by the former Chairman, Hon. Innocent Okeke, and a patron, Chief Chima Ezeoru, among others.

PAGE 8—SUNDAY

Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014

Tribute.....

BY NELLY ATING

“If the pictures of tens of thousands of human bodies, being gnawed on by dogs do not wake us out of our apathy, I do not know what will.” —Then UndersecretaryGeneral of the United Nations Kofi Annan, on the Rwandan Genocide, in 1994, quoted in The East Africa, 18 March, 1996.

K

WIBUKA 20”, the official 20th year remembrance of the brutal 1994 Rwanda genocide, was formally marked at the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, Adamawa State, on Saturday 8, February. Kwibuka is a Kinyarwanda word meaning remembrance. This year’s commemoration theme is “Remember, Unite and Renew”. For Rwandans, the haunting past has become an inspiration to strive for a better, more just, and equitable future. For Nigerians, having gone through, and survived the trauma of a civil war, and presently dealing with a nagging insurgency in the North-east, it’s important to learn the lessons of peace and tolerance, to avoid repeating history, as no nation might survive two civil wars without a permanent scar.

This year’s 20th commemoration flagged off in Abuja on February 6, 2014, with a series of lectures, and later continued in AUN with a candle-lit memorial ceremony to honour and remember those who lost their lives in the crisis.

The ceremony brought together people from different nationalities and walks of life. Present were the Rwandan Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Joseph Habineza; AUN President Margee Ensign, and top management staff of AUN including Provost Professor Charles Reith, Dean of Student Life, Byron Bullock, Dean of Post Graduate School, Professor John Leonard; Security Consultant, Dr. Lionel Rawlins, faculty and students as well as the members of Adamawa community.

They came to remember the victims of the 1994 Genocide that claimed an estimated 1,000,000 people in 100 days. According to the Ambassador, choosing Yola for the memorial was not by accident as AUN has its role in helping establish the Rwandan community on campus. He added that the security concern in Nigeria’s northeast was another reason why the ceremony was hosted in AUN. The Ambassador spoke in depth stressing the destabilizing impact of violence on a community, the economic effect and the wound that lingers for a long time but would gradually heal. He warned, “We have an obligation to warn those who want to tread the path of division to desist from doing so.”

A key segment of the host community present at the Rwandan memorial was the Adamawa Peacemakers’ Initiative (API), whose members’ strong presence was no accident either. The API, founded and promoted by the American University of Nigeria as a community-based peace and conflict resolution body, has become a model of peace and consensus building in the North East of Nigeria. The API is a non-partisan, stakeholders’ forum of prominent members of the Adamawa community – religious and traditional leaders, and representatives of security agencies, government and academic institutions, and which is dedicated to promoting peace and harmony in the state.

One of the platforms through which the API pursues peace is the Community Peace Council, which is made up of community leaders from all segments and interest groups and which promotes dialogue and coexistence. In recognition of its pioneering role in ensuring peace and promoting dialogue among the Adamawa groups and communities, three members of the API were invited by the Tony Blair Inter-Faith Foundation in the United Kingdom to come and discuss issues of religious dialogue at an international conference. Therefore the choice of AUN as host of the Rwandan Genocide Memorial is a tribute to the efforts the University has channeled towards preserving the peace and encouraging dialogue in Adamawa State.

*Guests at the occasion to mark the genocide

Rwandan genocide memorial: Lessons for Nigeria Kwibuka is celebrated in different countries to mark the reconciliation and development strides Rwanda has taken since the Genocide. The organizers meant to use the forum to warn other countries of the dire consequences of violence, using Rwanda as an example. Therefore, it becomes imperative to bring home the message of peace to communities like Adamawa which though in the North East, is a bastion of peace, due to the concerted effort of major stakeholders.

,,

The ambassador during the lecture reiterated that the perpetrators of the Rwandan violence were not illiterate or miscreants but people who are highly-trained professionals like doctors, teachers, lawyers, and politicians in positions of authority. He warned Nigerian youth to avoid being used for sectarian violence

The ambassador during the lecture reiterated that the perpetrators of the Rwandan violence were not illiterate or miscreants but people who are highlytrained professionals like doctors, teachers, lawyers, and politicians in positions of authority. He warned Nigerian youth to

avoid being used for sectarian violence because they would suffer most from exposure to the nature and consequences of killings and destruction. He added that Rwandan children who witnessed the genocide were now either entering secondary school or the university, their educational progress having been delayed. In Adamawa, by way of contrast, the American University has “pursued programs aimed at fostering peace education, IT training and entrepreneurship, empowerment and community development”. Recently a fresh batch of 140 trainees graduated from its free African Center for ICT Innovation and Training in Jimeta-Yola, bringing to 1,500 the total number of vulnerable youths who have received ICT training since 2012 when the program was launched. From this batch, 30 participants were selected to proceed to more advanced courses in ICT on scholarship due to their outstanding performance in the training.

On a brighter note, Rwanda survived the Genocide and is marking Kwibuka 20 years after. There are key hihglihgts of Rwanda’s rise from a national tragedy to a new era of reconciliation, hope and inclusiveness. The ambassador explained how women became agents of peace and dialogue and encouraged Adamawa State not to neglect sport in promoting peace in their community. But why peace through sport? Every game has universal rules and peace can be achieved as everybody participates without ethnic barriers.

Rwanda is unlike Nigeria with diverse ethnic groups, he opined. “Rwanda has one language, one culture, and one belief system, including belief in one God - Imana.

During the war I began to wonder if Imana had left us to allow such havoc wrecked in Rwanda. But today, I am happy Imana has returned entirely to watch, protect and bless the land.” He called on Nigerian leaders to promote peace, justice, religious tolerance, and dialogue in their communities, referring to everybody listening to him whether young or old, big or small as the leaders.

President Ensign got the audience thinking aloud while narrating her

involvement with Rwanda and how far the country had pulled back from the abyss.

Rwanda, she said, has become a success story. After the war, her prospects looked dark but there is always a light at the end of a tunnel, Dr Ensign said.

Quoting from her paper titled, “Rwanda @ 20, from Genocide to Peace, Participation, and Progress,” President Ensign who has written extensively about Rwanda and the Genocide, explained how Rwandans set up a traditional justice council named Gacacato reconcile strength and unity. On how Gacaca worked, she said members were selected from the local community and trained to judge those who were involved in the killings. In the end, justice was served, she said.

She mentioned that Rwanda is among those countries without a death penalty system as they have had enough with killings. And, 80 percent of those who were convicted in Gacaca were men while 20 percent were women. The people used education, health, and new model of governance to promote peace in Rwanda.

Dr. Ensign added that Rwanda’s economy has grown enormously especially their cocoa plantain, pointing out that Starbucks declared Rwanda’s coffee as the best. Rwanda also believed in gender equity and this is a smart policy to adopt.

She ended her speech by declaring to Rwanda students studying in AUN, that they are loved.

The ceremony in solemn ambience was quiet and people stood up to light up their candles to pay tribute to the victims who died during the war. With soft, somber but melodious Rwandan native music playing in the background, the AUN community gathered with candles and prayers were said to bless the departed Rwandan souls.

AUN shares a robust working relationship with the Rwandan Government, which sponsored two of its best students on scholarship to acquire American style education at AUN’s world class campus.

Ating is of AUN Class of 2012

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 16, 2014, PAGE 9

NATIONAL CONFAB:

History beckons Nigeria • 496 delegates in make or mar dialogue • Achievements, lessons of past confabs and lingering questions

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE, Deputy Political Editor FACED with debilitating socio-economic, ethno-religious and political challenges worsened by the Boko Haram insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives in the last five years, 496 wise men and women will tomorrow be saddled with the onerous task of hammering out solutions that will save Nigeria from the precipice.

Holding at the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Abuja, 492 delegates were initially approved for the confab but the Federal Government, on Thursday, nominated six more delegates bringing the number to 498. However, the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), which had criticized the timing of the exercise it described as wasteful and President Goodluck Jonathan’s hidden agenda to boost his re-election quest in 2015, has refused to nominate two delegates allotted it. Thus, the number of delegates expected to be inaugurated tomorrow is 496.

In what is panning out as a make or mar conference, the delegates are expected to learn from the achievements and shortfalls of similar exercises in the past and tinker effective ground rules that will cement Nigeria’s unity and unleash peace, growth and development on the country regarded as the most populous black nation on earth.

Knotty questions, agenda The key issues and questions the delegates are expected to resolve include the structure of government—presidential C M Y K

or parliamentary system, fiscal federalism, devolution of power, resource control, derivation and revenue sharing formula, citizenship right, security of lives and property, state/local government creation, the federating units – two or three tiers and whether it should states or geopolitical zones, regional autonomy, immunity for elected officials, state and regional police.

Lessons from past conferences To navigate the slippery paths that these issues will engender, the delegates may have to learn from the lessons and shortfalls of past constitution-making exercises.

Before Independence, Nigerian leaders were locked in series of constitutional conferences. In 1958, for instance, 106 Nigerian delegates drawn from the ethnic nationalities attended a conference in London to look at what was then the Nigerian federation. That conference yielded the 1960 Constitution that ushered Nigeria into independence.

With the departure of Southern Cameroon from Nigeria and three years into self-rule, the country fashioned another grundnorm — the 1963 Republican Constitution. The military incursion into politics of 1966 ended constitutional governance and the country was ruled by decrees.

Second Republic conference In 1975, the military, in its quest to return power to civilians, unveiled a transition programme, which necessitated the making of a new constitution that will address the flaws in the 1963 Constitution.

So, a Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC), led by legal icon, Chief Rotimi Williams (SAN), was appointed in 1975 to draft a new constitution. In 1977, a Constituent Assembly (CA), composed of both elected and appointed officials, examined and ratified the draft constitution. After final tinkering and ratification by the Supreme Military Council (SMC), the Constitution was promulgated in 1979

by Decree Number 25 of 1978.

The 1975-77 exercise, after tinkering by the military, enshrined emergence of national parties to be registered by the electoral commission, establishment of new corrective national bodies, such as the Code of Conduct Bureau, Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau, and Public Complaints Commission and the principle of federal character. It also overturned the parliamentary system of the First Republic and endorsed an executive presidential system similar to that of the United States of America. Previously, the executive branch of government derived its powers from the legislature. Under the 1979 constitution, the president and vice president, state governors and their deputies were elected in separate elections. The elections had the federation and the state, respectively, as constituencies.

Also, while the Senate was largely a ceremonial body in the First Republic, the new constitution gave the Senate and House of Representatives coequal powers.

Major amendments added by the SMC include use of Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba as additional official languages in the National Assembly and the introduction of the federal character principle. The principle required that the composition of

the cabinet, boards, and other executive bodies, as well as appointments to top government positions, should reflect the federal character or diversity of the country at the particular level of government. The principle also applied to the composition of the armed forces, distribution of national resources, such as location of schools and industries.

Another fall out from the exercise is the introduction of age limit for participation in politics said to be intended to eliminate elderly but discredited politicians who had actively participated in politics in the First Republic.

To ensure that political parties were national in outlook and concept, the 1979 Constitution specified certain criteria that parties must meet in order to be registered. The name, emblem, or motto of the party must not contain any ethnic or religious connotation or give the party the image of a sectional party; membership of the party should be open to all Nigerians irrespective of ethnic or religious affiliation; the party headquarters must be in the federal capital; and the executive committee of the party should reflect the federal character of the country.

The 1979 Constitution was ratified by the Supreme Military Council headed by the then Head of State, General Olusegun Obasanjo. It formed the basis for the 1979 elections that produced Alhaji Shehu Shagari as president and another round of elections in 1983.

However, three months after Shagari was sworn-in for second term, the military overthrew civilians and captured power again on December 31, 1983. They also set aside the 1979 Constitution and promulgated decrees.

Babangida’s exercise In 1989, the then General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida-led military government set up a Constituent Assembly with the intention of returning power to civilians in 1990.

The move produced the short-lived 1993 Constitution, which went up in smoke when Babangida postponed the handover date several times even though members

Continues on page 10

PAGE 10— SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 16, 2014

NATIONAL CONFERENCE

The imperative of strong state govts — Prof Izegbu

Prof. Victor Izegbu speaks on the National Conference due to be inaugurated tomorrow by President Goodluck Jonathan. A gubernatorial contender in Delta State, he also speaks on his blueprint to transform the state among other issues.

BY OLAYINKA AJAYI What is your view on the state of the nation?

I believe we have moved forward as a nation compared to where we were eight years ago, but I strongly believe we can do better . If you look at the economy now, there is probably more power supply than we had eight years prior to the bold step of the privatisation of the power sector because the privatisation changed things a little bit, but I believe that in a short little while, the problem of poor power supply will be a thing of the past. So I strongly believe the privatization of the power sector is a major success of the Jonathan administration.

Although the improvement in power supply may not be evident now, if you understand how the sector works, it takes time before customers start enjoying the dividends of the privatization. We had problem in the sector over the last 20years and such problem cannot be fixed overnight. The amount to take over by the private sector is quite large, billions of dollars will be invested in infrastructure; so you can’t expect the situation to change easily, it will take at least one or two years to fix it.

The suspension of the CBN governor.

Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has generated dust globally. What is your view about it?

Sanusi•fs suspension is a big shame for the country. I believe it could have been handled better but there are several issues that are being investigated. Sanusi himself has his own story while govern-

Continued from page 9

ment has its own story about it. The National Assembly should have been the appropriate body to handle the situation. I would strongly suggest that a judicial enquiry be instituted on the oil money Sanusi alleged was stolen. It has to be investigated by a committee to get to the root of it.

Looking at the centenary celebration, some people are of the view that Nigeria as a nation is moving round in circles without moving forward?

I would say yes because for any government you have to look at what transpired in the past.

We had over 50 years of colonial rule; what was our education system 12 years before independence like, there was no university in Nigeria. There were very few secondary schools,;so you would say the reason for handover was not there. So, having handed over in 1960, we ran into crisis and six years after, we had military regime and a civil war, all within the last 100 years. We just started a proper democratic process within the last 16years because I can•ft imagine any military regime being successful. So to be able to judge our performance as a nation, we should be able to wait for at least 20 years of civilian rule being managed by Nigerians .

What is your take on the Boko-Haram insurgency?

Nobody actually knows the cause of the insurgency. Some people say the insurgents are sponsored by some northern politicians, while others believe they have the backing of northern warlords and the emirs. All we need to contain this insur-

Prof. Victor Izegbu gency is help from western countries . We need significant grassroots intelligent information gathering.

Some people are of the view that most of the delegates at the National Conference were among those who contributed to the woes of Nigeria. Do you foresee anything meaningful coming out of the conference?

Delegates to the conference should be men of wisdom coming together to provide what would be the future of Nigeria .

People have divergent views on the agenda. What is your take?

I really agree with those who say regionalization is the way forward. The way we are running our federal system is unimaginable; power is concentrated at the centre while the regions have no power. The fact is that at the end of the month, governors go to the centre to collect money and then go back to their states to start spending because they don•ft know how to generate income for their states. My strong recommendation is that we change the system of federalism we operate. Power must shift from the centre to the regions; this would transform this country. We should try to incorporate the united state system into Nigeria where state governments are very strong and they generate income through tax; their police are

Hist or kons Nigeria Histor oryy bec beck

of the National Assembly and governors had been elected and were in office.

Babangida’s annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, presumably won by the late business tycoon, Chief M KO Abiola, unleashed tension and violence on the polity. Babangida stepped aside in 1993 after appointing Chief Ernest Shonekan as interim president.

Agitation for SNC, Abacha conference The clamour for a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) gained currency in 1994 following the ‘June 12’ misadventure. Proponents picked holes in the unitary system of government and canvassed a restructured polity that would drive socio-economic and political development.

The General Sani Abacha regime, which snatched power from Shonekan, organized a National Constitutional Conference (NCC) in 1994 made up of elected and government appointed delegates.

The confab was boycotted by the progressive wing of the South-west, led by the late Chief Abraham Adesanya, which insisted on SNC. The conference came up with farC M Y K

President Jonathan

Olusegun Obasanjo

reaching decisions like creation of the six geo-political zones and 13 per cent derivation. But it was perceived as an exercise meant for Abacha to transmute into a civilian ruler. The proposed constitution was in the works when Abacha died in 1998.

When General Abdulsalami Abubakar took over in 1998, he announced a speedy transition programme that lasted 11 months. He set up a committee, led by Justice Niki Tobi, to sieve through the

Ibrahim Babaginda

Moshood Abiola

volumes of constitutional documents and come up with a grundnorm.

The process gave birth to the 1999 Constitution with which civilians reclaimed power in 1999.

However, the 1999 Constitution was replete with many ambiguities and inconsistencies that threatened smooth flow of governance. Pro-democracy activists, among others, questioned the preamble, which said: ‘we the people…., arguing that the people of Nigeria never took part in making the constitution. They

managed locally.

How do you intend to compete with the political gladiators in Delta State?

There should be a new focus in Delta State. I feel the time is ripe to break away with the past and go with the future .

Many people approached me saying the PDP governors are not doing too well compared to opposition parties governors like of Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Raji Fashola of Lagos State , Peter Obi of Anambra State and Olusesegun Mimiko of Ondo State, but I find it difficult to defend myself because the opposition governors performed evidently well in their various states. I think what we need to do in Delta is to change our direction by taking bold steps by giving somebody like myself a trial; at least I have not been part of the corrupt system. And I have brand new visionary ideas on how to transform the state. This was what Anambra did with Peter Obi who had no political experience but totally transformed his state . If the people of Anambra can do it, I think the people of Delta can do it as well. I have great vision on how to transform Delta . I intend to set up an economic team that will work on income generation ideas , industrialisation of the 25 local government areas , massive employment opportunities for our youth and adults as well. It will be a brand new method of governance . I had to go to Dubai to study how they were able to develop their country. My plan is to have a 50-year plan that we will run with.

Talking about the brand new direction, you are contesting under the PDP. That is a big challenge, We can learn from other states that succeeded like Lagos and Anambra.

Maybe my predecessors have not thought about it but we can cooperate with even non-PDP states to learn from what they are doing. This is the kind of new direction we are talking about and a radical development of the economy .

How do you tend to achieve the 50-year ambition?

In any developing state like Dubai, for example, they have a 50-year plan for the city; it is going to be something that will happen over two to three generations which will equally stand as a master plan for how the state will be run. If we want to be an industrialised state, for example, we will set out a master plan on how to achieve it; so any reasonable economy would do that and, generation after generation , wewill grow with the plan, but the immediate need for Nigeria is power supply and jobs.

went on to insist on SNC. Constitution amendment exercise However, President Olusegun Obasanjo and the National Assembly opposed calls for SNC, arguing that there could not be two sovereignties in the country. Nevertheless, Obasanjo, in his second term, organised a National Political Reforms Conference (NPRC) with all the delegates appointed.

One of the resolutions of the confab was 17 per cent derivation. However, the decisions of the conference, which the National Assembly was discussing, including its constitution amendment exercise, died with Obasanjo’s alleged Third Term agenda.

Under President Jonathan, the 1999 Constitution has been amended twice and the National Assembly is on the verge of completing the third amendment yet the challenges facing the country remain intractable. The problems are worsened by the flickering flames of insurgency and insecurity in some parts of the North which the Federal Government reportedly spent N3.8 trillion in the last four years to combat.

It is on this precarious note that the delegates will be inaugurated tomorrow after which they will brainstorm for 90 days in search of answers. Will they succeed? Only time will tell.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 16, 2014, PAGE 11

Revisiting the Urhobo stand on National Conference

BY AMOS IGHORODJE

T

HE UPU memorandum to the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Conference is profoundly thought provoking and illuminating.

At page two, paragraph three, it stated: “Some states with population size less than half that of the Urhobo have three senators each while the Urhobo have only one. We are cheated in terms of the number of local governments”. This statement therefore translates to the issue of proportionate representation.

In the UPU memorandum at page there, paragraph four, the following argument was adduced: “We are of the strong view that it is difficult to accurately identify the number and composition of ethnic nationalities and social/civil groups for the purpose of equitable representation at the conference; therefore, we propose that representation should be based on senatorial districts which are comparatively easier to determine since each state of the federation has the same number of senatorial districts. We recommend further that each senatorial district should have TEN Representatives...”. So a state like Yobe, Jigawa or Kebbi will have 30 reps each and Urhobo 10.

From UPU exposition on this particular subject matter, representation should have been based on allocation of delegates to senatorial districts on account of the percentage of their population in the country. This issue of delegates to the conference can still be revisited despite the release of an anomalous criteria for delegates by the Federal Government.

The UPU memorandum also said, “A substantial proportion of the oil and gas energy in Nigeria comes from Urhoboland. The Urhobo nation makes enormous contribution to the Federation Account that is shared by tiers of government in the country”.

It is all the incontrovertible that the naked truth about the Nigerian project be stated clearly without any iota of blemish, fear or favour.

There are TWO main issues that have to be resolved at the conference to substantially minimize marginalization, injustice and corruption, and will then engender peace, security and love amongst the component units of our country.

(1) Representation - Elective representation at all tiers of government MUST be based on: (a) 40 % on percentage contribution to Federation Account. (b) 40 % on population. (c) 20 % based on land mass.

(2) Revenue Allocation - This obviously should be on the basis of True Fiscal Federality with the Federal Government receiving 25% of the total collected revenue for the month and the federating units getting 75% to be shared among the units using the following allocation formula; (a) 50 % on derivation. (b) 30 % on population. (c) 10 % on land mass. (d) 10 % on equality of the federating units.

Our inability to resolve the above two main issues in the Nigerian project is the reason for the monumental corruption of various hues some of which are listed in the proposed

General Patrick Aziza(rtd), UPU President

The UPU memorandum also said, “A substantial proportion of the oil and gas energy in Nigeria comes from Urhoboland. The Urhobo nation makes enormous contribution to the Federation Account that is shared by tiers of government in the country agenda for the conference in the UPU Memorandum to wit: (1) Deliberate under enumeration during census.

(2) Skewed delineation of constituencies.

(3) Promulgation of the obnoxious Land Use Decree.

(4) Centralisation of power and resources.

(5) Youth restiveness and security challenges in various guises.

(6) Election rigging and imposition of candidates.

(7) Nepotism in governance.

Now comes the pivotal question of what should constitute the federating units upon which the above two key issues will be based: During the first republic when we had four regions before the advent of the 1966 military coup, the country was practising what is close to true federalism for practical purposes. The four regions were highly industrious and doing well in their areas of comparative advantage, be it in agriculture, commerce, artisanship and technology, mineral mining and education.

Then came the 1966 military coup.

This coup killed the Nigerian project.

Major-General Aguiyi-Ironsi who eventually became Head of State imposed unitary system of govern-

ment; then Nigeria entered into auto drive to perdition. The Nigerian mission and zeal died. Entrepreneurship and innovation, research and development, commerce, industries, agriculture and even education perished. These amongst others are the hallmarks of advancement in any society. From the 1970s when petrodollars started pouring in, we lost every idea on what to do with money, and waiting for federal allocation became the sing-song in the states and local government councils. Many states and local government councils could no longer pay staff salaries without receiving statutory federal allocations.

That has been the sordid story of our dear country until corruption crept into our social fabric and it became a way of life. One can hardly believe that this is the same country that prosecuted athree year civil war without borrowing a kobo and was even in budget surplus at the end of the war.

Take a good look at the Asian tigers economies and see what decentralisation and true federalism can achieve.

There is no point using the western world and America as instances. Even

communist and conservative Russia and China are embracing free markets and federalism.

So what are we still doing with unitary system of government if not for the SOLE purpose of rabid corruption.

We must learn from our mistakes and those of others. We can definitely not continue with the present system if not something will have to give way. The irreducible minimum the conference can achieve is to adopt; (1) True administrative and fiscal federal system of government using the parliamentary system.

(2) The six geo-political zones as the federating units or regions.

(3) The present states to remain and become local centres of administration.

(4) The present local government councils should be scrapped and be replaced with senatorial districts as boroughs or councils for the purpose of implementation of certain state policies and programmes. In fact, with our poor GDP($339 billion 2009 est.), what are we really doing with 774 LGAs? (5) Power should be devolved from the centre to the regions with the Federal Government retaining only the traditional roles of the military, foreign affairs, federal police and regulating certain aspects of our lives such aviation, navigation, immigration, etc.

(6) Numbers of federal and regional ministers and advisers to be pegged.

Any additional request by the head of a government must receive two-third of the votes of the respective parliament.

(7) Unicameral legislature at federal and regional governments.

(8) The legislature of each region shall determine the revenue sharing formula between the states of that region.

(9) Delineation of both federal and regional constituencies must be based on key criterion (1) above on REPRESENTATION and applied using the present senatorial districts.

(10) Revenue allocation between federal and regional governments, and between the regions should apply key criterion (2) above.

These are the 10 political commandments our dear own nation must adopt in the forthcoming conference in other to ensure unity and faith, peace and progress. *Dr. Ighorodje lives in Asaba.

Delta community holds confab

T

HE executive of Ughoton commu nity, Okpe Local Government Area, Delta State, has assured its people of better years ahead in the area of development and relative peace.

The Chairman/Unu-Amua of Ughoton community, Mr. Andrew Eguriase Agbi who gave the assurance during the annual conference of the community, said the purpose of the conference was to discuss a way forward for the development and growth of the community.

Agbi, who thanked the past conference chairman, Mr. William Ogholemu and Prince Benson Mebitaghan, for their advice, said in assuming office, his executive had challenges such as broken down transformers, seats in one of the schools, security problem in Esezi Secondary School, land development and disagreement between families in the community.

Agbi said his executive, however, ap-

pealed to the Delta State representative of the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, Chief Tom Amioku, the Commissioner for Power and Energy and Okpe Council Chairman, who came to their rescue by providing them with two transformers and school chairs.

He said the executive had within the period under review engaged in two developmental projects (Water and Market) but that they were unable to provide land for the market project despite attempt to buy two plots, soliciting for the assistance of the conference to approve the acquisition of land and the protection of the acquired ones. The Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Ughoton-Okpe national Conference, Prince Benson Mebitaghan and Mrs. Mary Ebrubare Otikiri, said the annual conference is to tackle some of the challenges facing the community and to proffer solution to such challenges.

C M Y K

C M Y K

PAGE 12— SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014 ,

The President versus the Governor of governors (4)

BY DELE SOBOWALE

“The CBN external auditors who signed the CBN 2012 audited financial statements will be required to provide some clarification by the FRC (Financial Reporting Council) and even by the CBN board as they continue the investigation directed by the Presidency.” Industry source, PUNCH, March 7, 2014, p 28.

I

F there is one thing still baffling to me in all the revelations about the alleged misdeeds of the CBN Governor, it relates to all those in position, including President Jonathan, who left undone the things they should have been doing since the FRC released its scathing report about gross abuses at the CBN last year. However, before going into specific indictment of willfully negligent officials, let me explain to those who might not be aware of what the FRC is now planning to do – months after it should have done them.

External auditors once they audit a company’s accounts are supposed to write a covering report indicating whether the books of accounts have been maintained according to prevailing regulations of the Financial Standards Board or the organization governing such matters. They are also supposed to point out irregularities and deviations from laid down policies and procedures. Finally, they are supposed to qualify the accounts presented once they are convinced that fraud had occurred – irrespective of who is responsible. But, that occurs only in theory.

External auditors of CBN, NNPC, Ministries, NPA, First Bank. MTN, Dangote etc, after landing the big accounts are quite often unwilling to lose them on account of being too technical. The safest thing for them is to allow infractions to mount until the organization is exposed by the bad odour oozing from its premises. In fairness to Nigeria’s external auditors, this is a global phenomenon and not localized to Nigeria. The global financial crisis of 2008 became so threatening to the global economy mostly be-

President Goodluck Jonathan

cause several reputed international auditing firms had colluded with the banks and investment houses they audited to cover up grievous banking crimes.

However, whether, or not, the external auditor had done an excellent or a shoddy job, those to whom the reports are written are supposed to read them AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. The FRC sent its report to the President last year – which pointed to several irregularities in the management of the affairs of the CBN. Each of those infractions carries its own penalties – some call for warning; others for dismissal after following due process.

To start with the FRC should have requested for the report or management letter (as it is sometimes called) to ascertain whether or not, the external auditor had done a thorough professional job or had colluded with the CBN in covering up major crimes. There are also penalties for such collusion on the part of external auditors with the management of the companies or institutions they audit. The least of the penalties is that the external auditor is relieved of the appointment. And, where the external auditors had allowed themselves to be induced to cover up crimes, imprisonment remains one of the options left to government – in addition to sanctions by their professional bodies. So, one of the first things which should have been done, even

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

The global financial crisis of 2008 became so threatening to the global economy mostly because several reputed international auditing firms had colluded with the banks and investment houses they audited to cover up grievous banking crimes before Sanusi was queried, was to read the external auditor’s report. It would appear that neither the FRC, nor the President, nor the Board of Directors of CBN had read a management report handed to them a long time ago by the external auditors. That is inexcusable negligence bothering on economic sabotage. If they had, it is quite possible that all the allegations recently made would have come to light long before Sanusi blew the whistle on $20 billion missing from NNPC. The matter would have been vastly easier to judge by all patriotic Nigerians.

So, if the government finds itself being harassed by Lai Mohammed and other critics, it is because they neglected a sacred duty.

802-877-2176 ..You always advise we obtain a degree in street wisdom. Sanusi has always lived in illusion that the Northern-dominated Senate will always back him if the President was to sack him.

The President conscious of d

humiliation of not getting 2/3 went 4 a short cut i.e suspension..What differentiates Sanusi 4rm d banks MDs

he sacked in 2009?....

To avoid a recurrence of this type of abuse by a future CBN governor it is my humble submission that the CBN Act be looked into again..This will check the tyranny of a future “Sanusi”. Odafe O. 0803-682-0306 How I wish dat Nigeria has jst 20 people who reason like u..Its a pity dat wt his PhD Jonathan turned out to be more vain than Obasanjo…Our NASS is merely an assemblage of buccaneers, so they can’t think of suspending/or impeaching Jonathan. Sanusi is one of Jonathan’s evil clan. Barr.

Aghaobodo.

Oharisi lauds Uduaghan

T

HE Delta State Deputy Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, and Ughelli North Constituency 11, House of Assembly aspirant, Comrade Prince Eric Oharisi, has commended Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan for the implementation of his three-point agenda of Human Capital Development, Infrastructural Development and Peace and Security.

The House of Assembly hopeful, Comrade Oharisi, who made this commendation while on a visit to Ughelli communities (Uduophori and Odorubu) in Patani local government area which make up Delta South, said that the Delta State Governor has done much for the state and should be rewarded with the senatorial ticket.

Oharisi called on Delta South people to support the governor ’s senatorial ambition, as Delta needs more vibrant people who know the working of the upper chamber, to attract more dividends of democracy to state.

He pointed out that the renovation and building of new classroom blocks for a conducive learning for both higher and basic education in the state by the governor has boosted the level of education in the state.

While calling on the two Ughelli communities to give the governor their total support in the forthcoming 2015 general election, Oharisi hinted that they will soon embark on mosquito campaign in the area.

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014, PAGE 13

The Dein of Agbor’s ‘sermon’ on Delta, Nigeria and Japan The Dein of Agbor Kingdom and Chancellor, University of Illorin, Dr. Benjamin Ikenchukwu Keagborekuzi 1 (left) exchanging pleasantries with the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Ryuichi Shoji, during a reception organized in commemoration of the 54th anniversary of Japan-Nigeria Diplomatic Relations in Lagos.

I

T was indeed a red car pet event, the carpet flowing several meters from the reception down to the beautifully decorated conference hall of Eko Hotel and Suites.

The event was the 54th anniversary of Japan-Nigeria diplomatic relations.

Although no formal roll call was made, the gathering was made up of who-is-who in Nigeria and, perhaps, the Japanese community in the country.

Present were captains of industry, heads of academic institutions, foreign and local investors, heads of civil society organizations and players in the financial industry, among others.

Also in attendance was the Dein of Agbor Kingdom, Dr. Benjamin Ikenchukwu Keagborekuzi 1.

The monarch, clad in his royal attire with beads adorning his wrists and neck became the cynosure of all eyes as everyone jostled to catch a glimpse of him as he arrived.

On the realization that the handsome young man, beaming with smiles is the world’s youngest crowned king, the scramble to have a word or perhaps a handshake with him by the teeming crowd was visible.

The Dein had a lengthy chat with the Japanese ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Ryuichi Shoji, as well as the Japanese Honorary Consul in Lagos, SenaC M Y K

tor Udoma Udo Udoma.

The chat afforded the monarch the opportunity to ask the envoy to encourage the Japanese government and investors from that country to take advantage of the industrialization drive of Delta State Government in the oil-rich-state.

Describing Delta State as investment destination given the relative peace and security, Keagborekuzi 1, enjoined the Japanese government to cashin on the advantage and strengthen its investment profile in Nigeria by investing in the State.

The royal father, who is also the Chancellor, University of Ilorin, called on Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to extend his good relationship with the international community to Japan to get its investors to come and invest in the state.

“I am encouraged by the decision of the Japanese government to continue to strengthen its bilateral relations with Nigeria. I am more encouraged when the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Ryuichi Shoji, said that, in 2012, bilateral trade between both countries reached an historic highest point of around 5 billion US dollars. This is encouraging as the bilateral relations are indeed expanding”, the monarch stated.

“By this, just like you heard me speak with the ambassador a while ago, I want to use this opportunity to call on my state

governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, not to relent in his drive in wooing foreign direct investors into the state, particularly Japanese investors. As the state governor has been going round some of these developed and industrialized

ing of youths in the area.

The Japanese ambassador, Shoji, while expressing his country’s resolve to strengthen bilateral relations with Nigeria, said Japan was irrevocably committed to harnessing the country’s (Nigeria) un-

,,

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

The royal father, who is also the Chancellor, University of Ilorin, called on Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, to extend his good relationship with the international community to Japan to get its investors to come and invest in the state

countries, I would like him (Uduaghan) to strengthen the state’s bilateral relations with Japan by further inviting the country (Japan) to come and invest more in the state.

“We do understand that he has barely one more year to leave office, but I want to urge him to use the remaining one year or so to stamp his feet harder on the sands of history.

He has been getting my support, and I will continue to give him the needed support”.

While urging Deltans, particularly prominent private investors to continue to support the present administration as the government cannot succeed alone, the Agbor monarch used the forum to commend the former Managing Director of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Jim Ovia, for alleviating the suffer-

tapped wealth.

He noted that as part of its resolve to support the industrialization and economic diversification policies of Nigeria, Japanese companies were ready to invest in the expansion of the nation’s Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) production.

The Japanese ambassador held that the bilateral relations with Nigeria are indeed vigorous and expanding. “If gas resources are the untapped wealth which should be made fully available to support Nigeria’s industrialization and diversification of its economy, Japan is the largest importer of Nigeria’s LNG and Japanese companies are ready to invest in the expansion of its production”, Shoji stated.

“In the field of investment,

last year, five new investment decisions were taken by Japanese companies in diverse sectors. Most of them will start their businesses in Lagos. This augurs well for future bilateral economic relations and makes Lagos and its vicinity more important to us. The Embassy of Japan is committed to work harder to promote this win-win relationship between our two countries by encouraging and facilitating Japanese companies’ investment in Nigeria and by cooperating with the Nigerian Federal Government as well as state governments to secure a business friendly environment.”

He expressed confidence that given the on-going transformation in the country, Nigeria has a brighter future ahead, saying, “We believe that a nation is as strong as its people and this is the reason for our strong optimism in the great future of this country”. Further, he said, “Nigeria has rich human resources and a people that are young and vivid, full of energy and constantly aspiring for a better quality of life.

They have every quality to contribute to making the country rich and prosperous”.

In his key note address, the Japanese Honorary Consul in Lagos, Udo Udoma, said that given the Japanese expertise in the petroleum sector, power sector, road and rail infrastructure, agriculture, electronics and computers, the Nigerian government, particularly the private sector, has a lot to benefit from the bilateral relations between both countries.

PAGE 14—SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 16, 2014

torchlight always attract a motorist’s eyes to the bridge.

The place parades more of Hausa petty traders. But in the dark cover of the night and the busy atmosphere, subtle attacks, snatching of female handbags, ecetera, go on. This was according to sources. My sources were many and randomly selected.

Much as they buy and sell, Bukola, a resident of the area, said that most people trade and tread with caution. And that includes holding their handbags and purses tenaciously. They revealed that some girls had been raped in the area when they appeared unwilling to let go off their valuables. But almost, always, the targets of the hoodlums are mobile phones and wrist watches.

Black spots

Ambush, rape

on Abuja pedestrian bridges Many Abuja foot bridges turn dangerous zones at night as hoodlums ambush users, snatch their belongings and rape women

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

T

hey are no doubt a part of the social infrastruc tures built for one purpose: to link one point with another. Be it in the air, on the land or across the lagoon, they connect towns and decongest junctions to ensure free flow of traffic. In places with features of urbanity, they are a common sight.

Thus, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja, still counting, are some major towns that boast of them. They are bridges.

Dangerous zones In Abuja, the rapid growing Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Nigeria, they are ubiquitous. Some are for pedestrian crossing located on the high ways while many are built over-head for vehicles. Currently, many are in use just as there are others under construction. One of such pedestrian bridges under construction on major highways in the metropolis is found around Mabushi, directly opposite the headquarters of Vehicle Inspectorate Office (VIO). When completed, it will connect residents of Jabi/Utako Districts and Mabushi.There is yet another one located just

after Sheraton Hotel connecting Zone 4 and Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Center at Central Area.

Along the ever-busy six lanes Apo-Maitama express way, construction of such pedestrian bridges is on-going at Area One and Zone Seven intersections to connect them with residents at Wuye District. Then enter AbujaKubuwa-Kaduna Express Way. Bridges litter Gwarimpa junction linking residents of Dawaki Area in Buari Area Council.

One is also found a little after Gwarimpa to connect people residing at Dutse Alhaji, Kubuwa town and Federal Capital Development Authority Estate (FCDA).

,,

While waiting for the traffic light to turn green, the hoodlums, targeting their victim would suddenly emerge from the bush around, grab the bag from the car and disappear.

There is another in Abuja main town connecting Zones Three and Four just before the popular Police Station Wuse Market. Now, these are popular bridges that link people to various parts within Abuja metropolis.

But besides the services they render in the day time, the bridges are dangerous zones at night. This, at least, Abuja Bulletin (AB)’s investigations revealed.

Prompted by the claim of theft and rape perpetrated by hoodlums on the bridges, AB launched an investigation last week. The exercise was carried out on Tuesday and Thursday. The areas visited included Zones Three and Four, as well as Gwarimpa via Kabuwa Express way.

The bridge which spreads across the heavily residential Zones Three and Four show signs of old age. It is poorly lit. Apart from adjourning houses, there are bank buildings and other business establishments around.

Besides, there is also a stretch of dualized road linking the road with Julius Berger Junction and Central Area.

This makes the bridge a mustuse for any pedestrian who does not want delays by the traffic or crushed by a fast moving vehicle. Day time on the bridge gives a sense of

security but evenings and nights instill fear.

Abuja Bulletin arrived the scene at about 6 pm on Tuesday. Every thing looked normal and natural with scanty number of passers-by.

Of course, no one would anticipate a criminal act at that time. Such happens unannounced. It wasn’t just the time for one. But a look around the vicinity revealed dangers AB beckoned to a female passer-by who obliged.

Simply giving out her name as Peace, a conversation ensued. ”Good evening, ma.

Do you live around here. How safe is this bridge at night? I heard it is dangerous to ply at night”, I frontally asked.

Peace drew a long look at me.

Her answer helped my curiosity. She revealed that, on several occasions, many had been victims of hoodlums’ attacks on the bridge.

She told me that her fear, which informed her first reaction, was a feeling that I was one of the hoodlums. She said the hoodlums adopt many approaches to pull a fast one on their victims before disappearing.

Market on the bridge Abuja Bulletin also visited the pedestrian bridge along Abuja-Kubuwa Express Way. One of the bridges along the road, that night, was a beehive of commercial activities. It was simply a market on the bridge. All kinds of wares were displayed. Pointed lines of light from all manners of Chinese lanterns and

One could imagine that Abuja, being the seat of power, is well policed to prevent crimes, but hell no.

The city, like many other cities in the country, has its black places.

Do not drive to some places in the FCT with your car window glass wound down even if the car is not air conditioned. The places include the junction linking NNPC Towers in Central Area, National Mosque and Zone Four. There is a traffic light at the junction which makes the place dangerous.

Investigations showed that many women motorists have lost their handbags and other valuables to common thieves and hoodlums who predate the place. A victim, Kauthar Umar, told AB that she lost her phone to the boys. Another victim, Kemi, said her handbag was snatched from her there. She was, however, lucky to have it back after days of combing the vicinity but not with the contents intact.

How they operate While waiting for the traffic light to turn green, the hoodlums, targeting their victim would suddenly emerge from the bush around, grab the bag from the car and disappear. You dare not run after them if you love your life.

Police presence.

Many policemen out on night duty, many residents alleged, disappear from their duty posts anytime after 10pm thus making it easy for hoodlums to operate. Indeed, the policemen come out later, but they hardly meet emergency situations. If Abuja can be prone to insecurity on the bridges, especially at night, what then happens to other cities in the country? It is compelling to build bridges with electricity components, such that the street lights would be on throughout the night to curb the activities of the hoodlums.

SUNDAY

Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014 15

the same, they stay in the mouth. There may be misunderstanding between brothers, but God has made it possible for us to reconcile. I have no reason to have any grudge or problem with Mu’azu. He is my brother. I wish him the best and I will give him all the support he needs to succeed. His position as PDP Chairman is a sensitive one and his success is my success. I know that he will do a good job and I am very proud of him as the National Chairman of our great party. That is why I moved the motion for him to become the Chairman.

Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State is a leader, who believes that there is no justification for anyone to talk about dismembering Nigeria after we have lived together as a nation for over a century. In this interview, Yuguda, one of the governors honoured last weekend in Ghana for educational development, speaks on contemporary issues, among them, his relationship with his predecessor, Ahmed Mu’azu, who he nominated as the PDP National Chairman and how to check rising terrorism in the North.

Excerpts:

By SONI DANIEL, Regional Editor, North

H

ow do you feel about the Award for Excellence in Education bestowed on you by the African Achievers Forum in Ghana?

I feel happy and fulfilled that the work that I have been doing in the field of education has come to be recognised by the international community and Africa. I am happy that I have been able to achieve the target that I set to attain in education in Bauchi State.

What major policies have you put in place to bring about the upliftment of the education sector in Bauchi State?

First of all, we have put in place a strategic plan for the development of education. That plan will last for the next five years and we have started developing the plan. We will factor the contributions of development partners into the plan. Things are really going to change tremendously in the state education sector because of the development plan.

Can you break it down so we can see the plan for each sector starting from primary to tertiary education?

Each segment of the plan has a timeline and we hope the resources would be there for us to implement it. There is need for adequate financing for us to be able to achieve the set target. We

B

auchi has been relatively peaceful despite the crisis in the North-East. What is the magic?

Our magic is God. We are very prayerful, both Muslims and Christians, on the matter.

On the average, our people

How to check rising terrorism in the North, by Gov Yuguda *’Why I support Ahmed Mu’azu as PDP National Chairman’ are morally upright and are their brothers keepers. They keep working with security agencies to ensure that peace reigns in the state. They are ready to identify criminals in their midst. But we have displaced people. Only a few days ago, we have a lot of people fleeing from Zamfara to Bauchi State for refuge and we had to accept them. These people need help and we have to help them. We have to commend the security agencies for the work they are doing in the state to keep criminals at bay. But we have to continue to do our best to ensure that the people can live in peace.

What are you doing about out-of-school children to be integrated into the society?

They are there in their thousands and it is a pity that we don’t have all the resources to take care of them as we would have loved to do.

If we have the resources, we would have opened more schools, trained more teachers and give the children incentives to go to school. It is very difficult to get them to leave hawking and come to

,,

also need to train and retrain our teachers in order to meet the goals of the educational system. We need to bring in more facilities and procure books to cope with the number we are catering for. Right now, we have bought books for all the sectors. For primary education, we have elaborate programmes for the pupils and teachers. We have recruited more teachers and outlined more incentives for them and those in secondary schools. We want to increase the number of boarding schools in Bauchi State while also looking at enhancing incentives to motivate teachers to work harder and improve the feeding of our students.

For the tertiary institution, we are trying to expand some of our schools to degree awarding status and bring in more experts and apply international best practices in our programmes.

Have you been able to resolve the discrepancy in the number of teachers who are qualified to teach?

They have all agreed to subject themselves to reevaluation and test and examination before going back to class. For those who cannot make it, they may have to disengage or be sent back to school for training.

D

Nobody is greater than God, who created Nigeria. Nobody can stop who should be the President of Nigeria. school without having the means to sustain their parents. But, recently, the MDGs office and the state have been engaged in supporting the poorest families so that their wards can go to school and the number we could accommodate in conjunction with the MDGs office was over 5,000 families. But 5,000 out of about six million population in Bauchi is just

like a drop in the ocean. But we have started and we know that the matter is a major challenge to us and Nigeria.

Do you think you can attain the Millenium Development Goal in health by 2015?

Bauchi stands shoulders above others in health care delivery under the MDG. Bauchi has always been among the best states in terms of the implementation of the MDG programmes on health.

So far, we have 1,200 primary health care centres though the joint effort of the state and Federal MDG. We have invested a lot in health care and we believe that we have achieved a milestone in that area.

M

any were quite excited that you easily made up with former Governor Ahmed Adamu Mu’azu, and you were the one who nominated him as the National Chairman of the PDP. How did you make up with Mu’azu, who was seen by many as your political opponent?

There is a Fulani saying that even the tongue and the teeth sometimes bite each other. All

o you encourage Bauchi people to go for the forthcoming National Conference, which many people in the North has described as Jonathan’s conference because he is accused of selecting many of the delegates?

I don’t know the agenda of the conference but what I have always said is that any person who goes there to talk about partitioning Nigeria should be stoned out of the conference because I believe in the unity of this country.

Our parents could not have shed blood to unite this country only for our generation to decimate it or partition the land and say we cannot live together.

Nobody is greater than God, who created Nigeria. Nobody can stop who should be the President of Nigeria. It is also God who put the resources we are enjoying today and nobody should use religion or tribe to break the country.

The conference should rather focus on issues that will unite us and not divide us. It should reinforce what should unite us and that is what should be discussed. It should not be a forum for complaints about our country. The problem of Nigeria is Nigerians ourselves. We know how to fix Nigeria. We should sit down and see how to fix Nigeria. Whoever has been selected by either the President of governor should sit down as a patriot and think of how to put Nigeria on a solid pedestal.

They should not be a party to those who want to divide Nigeria. We have over 500 ethnic nationalities, which are not going to be represented at the conference.

There is pressure that the conference should have representatives of each of the ethnic nationalities and I hope the President should look into that aspect. Those who are selected should have the interest of Nigeria at heart. We should learn to live together the differences in culture notwithstanding.

PAGE 16—SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 16, 2014

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

Echoes of the many massacres

S

peaker of the House of Repre sentatives, Hon Aminu Tambu wal, is disturbed by the spate of killings in the country. He spat fire in his welcome speech after the green chamber resumed from a twoweek recess.

In his speech entitled: ‘One massacre too many’ on Tuesday, he painted a graphic picture of what transpired in Yobe State where over 59 students were reportedly killed by the Boko Haram Islamist group.

Before the speech, lawmakers engaged in lobbying to make the Tuesday plenary a special session for security.

Sunday Vanguard gathered, however, that the House leadership prevailed on the legislators to rather concentrate on the Yobe massacre.

Some of the lawmakers, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard anonymously, said they believed that once the budget estimates of 2014 had been settled, the next issue will be on the security situation in the country.

They argued that all segments of the country that manifest terror would be x-rayed in the session.

According to one of the legislators from the South-east,the session would look at the various levels of crises and take a position. ”We will cross check whether Nigeria was at war? Whether what is happening is a religious war, a group war, a war perpetuated by a group of aggrieved people and find a lasting solution to it,” he said. ”If need be we, will invite all those involved because this is not the time to apportion blame to any level of government. ”We are part of government, so you can’t blame any level for now. “ Another legislator from the Northwest spoke in the same vein, describing the security situation in the country as “unacceptable.” He added: “We must hold a session on security after passing the 2014 Appropriation Bill. ”We will leave nothing untouched as

the situation for now calls for a collective responsibility to checkmate the present situation in the country. ”Immediately we resumed, we had wanted to use the Tuesday plenary to deliberate on it but the budget too is of national importance”.

A lawmaker from the Boko Haram hot seat in the North-east could not hide his anger; he simply told Sunday Vanguard “go and ask the House leadership about it”.

He explained: “We’ve done our very best to bring succour to our region since this insurgency started but to no avail. ”God knows that we’ve committed a lot of resources into it too.”

Other lawmakers, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard, saw nothing wrong even if it amounts to convening town hall meetings in the six geopolitical zones on the issue of insecurity in the country.

Tambuwal’s speech in his speech said: ” In my brief statement immediately after the Yobe attack, I warned that Nigeria is running out of excuses for our failure to live up to our responsibility to protect our citizens. Today I wish to amend that comment and declare that we HAVE run out of excuses. We no longer have any excuse for our inability to protect our innocent defenseless children from gratuitous violence. ” In recent times, it seems the nation wakes up every morning to the sad news of one gory tale of bloodletting and killing of innocent Nigerians or another: in the North-east states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe; in the North Central States of Benue and

Plateau; and in other parts of Nigeria. ” We wake up to the disturbing news of daring and dastardly attacks on our military establishments resulting in the dissipation of our military infrastructure and the destruction of the lives of the heroic Nigerians who have committed their lives to the defense of our territorial integrity. ” In Maiduguri for instance, expensive military aircraft and equipment and whole military barracks have been lost in addition to the loss of men and women of our Military and other law enforcement agencies. ” We wake up to the chilling news of the total annihilation of innocent, law abiding families and entire communities in the most callous, reprehensible and bizarre fashion. This cannot continue. We must rise up collectively and decisively to stop these orgy of deaths, destruction and waste. ” Section 14 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides that the security and welfare of our people is the primary purpose of government. In making this provision, the Constitution places a duty on all of us here and everyone else entrusted with the mandate of governance and representation to place a high premium on the security of lives and property of Nigerians. ” By this parameter, the Nigerian government must rise to the occasion. And by government I do not mean only the Executive. We in the Legislature are also part of government. And we cannot therefore merely join in the chorus of lamentations. Our duty is to act swiftly and decisively in the protection of the citizenry”.

Katsina: When a governor became traditional ruler

By Rabiu Musa

S

aturday, January 25, 2014, was indeed a memorable day in the history of Katsina State. It was a day people from all walks of life trooped to the state to honour an illustrious son, Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema, who was turbaned as the Sarkin Fulani Katsina 1 by the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman.

The journey to that particular event started in July, 2010, when the Emir of Daura, in appreciation of the notable contribution of Shema to the state progress and development, conferred on him the revered title of Sarkin Yakin Hausa. This was later followed by the title of Attah-Ojah Igala of Ankpa (Kogi State) and Enyi Kwo Nwa 1 of Ezeokwe Kingdom, Enugu State.

Without being economical with the truth, Shema is a silent achiever whose name is synonymous with great achievements. In fact, he has written his name on the sands of time.

Since his assumption of office as governor of Katsina State, Shema has performed creditably well, to the extent that his opponents have lost voice to criticise him because doing so will only expose them to public ridicule; more so, that his giant strides are in public domain. Many people are living witnesses to the monumental strides of the Shema administration in

Gov Shema

all sectors.

As a testimony to his great achievements, the Shema-led administration won the Central Bank of Nigeria award for the best state in implementation of Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme (ACGS) in 2008. It won the African Independent Television (AIT) award for the fastest growing state capital in Nigeria. It also bagged the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) award for the best performing state in the implementation of UBE projects, with a cash reward of N700 million. All these are tips of the iceberg among the numerous awards and honours received by

Shema for institutionalising good governance and promoting best practices in public administration.

Shema is a governor that does not believe in subterfuge aimed at deceiving the public and creating a false impression where there is none. His doctrine of good governance is all about talking less and doing more while allowing the volume of achievements in virtually all areas of governance to speak for him. Today, the testimony of his achievements lies in the people of the state who benefitted immensely from the projects that have direct impact on their lives.

At the cost of almost a billion naira, over 10,000 families across the state have benefitted from the Katsina State government Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme, aimed at providing cash support to poor households, on the condition that those households enrol and support their children’s education. Similarly, to support the almajiri , Shema has built over 70 model schools across the 34 local government areas of the state, with a total student population of 17,091. In these model schools, everything is free for the pupils, including feeding and school uniform. This contributed greatly to the upsurge in the school enrolment figure.

To support girl-child education, apart from abolishing all school fees, establishment of 34 girls’ primary schools,

one in each local government area of the state, the government also ensures the provision of buses to girls across the state.

The state government also pays stipends to the students, in addition to paying for their accommodation and giving them book allowance. All these gestures are aimed at making them concentrate fully on their studies.

From this programme, there is no local government in Katsina State today that does not have a medical doctor, a pharmacist, marine engineer, environmental engineer, physiotherapist, and radiologist, all sponsored by the state government.

The Shema administration has built 361 clinics in 361 wards in the state, just as it has, in collaboration with the MDGs, built 80 primary health centres. This administration has built a 250-bed orthopaedic hospital, which is being regarded as one of the best in West Africa.

Indeed, Shema has proved that for Nigeria’s economy to grow, public accountability and transparency must serve as the hallmark of governance.

To achieve this, government at all levels must execute people-oriented projects without attaching strings of politics. *Musa lives in Kofar Yandakar, Katsina

SUNDAY Vanguard,

MARCH

16, 2014, PAGE 17

All letters bearing writers' names and full addresses should be typed and forwarded to: The Editor, Sunday Vanguard, Kirikiri Canal, P. M. B. 1007, Apapa, Lagos. E-mail: sunvanguardmail@yahoo.com

Mr. President, appoint Urhobo as minister Dear Sir,

P

ERMIT me to use your high source of news to call on Mr. President, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to now use his exalted office to appoint an Urhobo son or daughter into the office of a minister having been left out in the president’s administration.

If politics is about who empowered who with their mandates, then the Urhobo should be the first to be compensated by the Jonathan administration.

It is the belief of Urhobo indigenes in Delta State that the ministerial position earlier occupied by Elder Godsday Orubebe former Minister of Niger Affairs was supposed to be occupied by the Urhobo.

However, that is in the past now and given your pan Nigeria approach and in recognition of the Urhobo contribution to your presidency and continues support to your government, it has become incumbent on you to reciprocate their unalloyed loyalty and support to you and your administration with the appointment of a minister.

The Urhobo, the fifth largest ethnic nationality in Nigeria needs to be included in a comity of ministerial council of more than thirty five Nigerians occupying various positions. In terms of contribution to the national income, their land has the privilege of producing the best crude in Nigeria and supplies natural gas to various power stations and industrial layouts in the country.

The Urhobo ethnic nationality does

not lack men and women of professional, academic and business excellence who can deliver the maximum benefit

to the government and people of Nigeria.

They have been tried, tested and produced ex-

cellent results.

Anagbo Jesse Town

Temienor

Delta guber : A second look at zoning Dear Sir,

S

INCE Governor Emmanuel Udu aghan and Chief Edwin Clark jointly led PDP chieftains to the Wadada plaza, headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), in what many have interpreted to signpost a new beginning in the party at the State level ahead of 2015 elections, series of events have occurred suggesting a bumpy ride to the Government House in Asaba.

The resignation of Godsday Orubebe from the President Goodluck Jonthan’s cabinet and subsequent entry into the governorship race in Delta State is one of such events. The coming on board of Kenneth Gbagi, though a serial gubernatorial aspirant from Delta Central, into the race is another. Both men represent two zones that have produced governors before. The southern zone are the present occupiers of that seat.

Before now, rumour mills have it that Godsday Orubebe will run. It gained crescendo when he had an open altercation sometime last year with Chief Clark over the elder statesman ‘s comment which chides Orubebe’s governorship bid. But now that he has come out to throw his hat in the governorship race, it is pertinent to revisit the party’s zoning formulae which is the best approach in ensuring a win – win situation in a compromised Federal

or State political structure. More so, when he is a known PDP member who shouted himself hoarse in the defence of the party zoning arrangement while campaigning for President Jonathan’s election in 2011 and even for the yet to be held 2015 Presidential election.

But by joining the race, however, Orubebe, a former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, may be angling to alter the zoning arrangement in line with some school of thought that the Ijaw, Itsekiri and lsoko that make up the Delta South Senatorial District are dialectically different and so the fact that an Itsekiri man is the incumbent governor does not suffice to say that the Southern zone has filled their quota in the zoning arrangement. Hence, the need to run in 2015. Those canvassing these views have not given a thought to the other zones like the Delta North Senatorial District that had not occupied that seat at all.

Historically, the people of that zone also have dialectical differences. Be that as it may, they have provided conducive ambience for the Central and South to run the State since 1999. If equity is the reason for the proponents of the zoning arrangement it is not proper to allow that zone that had stood aloof for 16 years to have its term?

At the national level, President Goodluck Jonathan is a product of zoning and his achievements and failures are there

for people to judge depending on the parameters for assessment.

To get it right, the Anioma Congress, the apex umbrella of the Anioma people have put in place a soul searching selection team whose job is to bring out a well experienced, competent, tested and trusted Anioma son or daughter for the good of the State.

Judging from their passion and pedigree, the likes of Chief Chuks Ochonogor, Dr Chris Agbobu, Professor J. Alika, Professor Sam Ukala, Ejiofor Onyia, Dr Juliet Onaeko, ( list not exhaustive ) will do a good job . The fact remains that only one person will be the governor. It is therefore expected that the one selected should be rallied around by others to project a common front.

But looking at the criteria for selection, public opinion and political stakeholders' view from Delta North tends to tilt to a serving Senator from Delta North, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa; that, however, do not eliminate the fact that other political contenders from Delta North are pushovers. But the bulk of deciding for the district have been shifted to the Anioma Congress.

Whatever the outcome of their decision will be will go a long way to determine whom the Anioma people will promote for the governorship race.

Amaechi Udemba, is a public analyst based in Asaba.

PAGE 18— SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014

Ibibios take on Akpabio for control of AKS –1 “The $20 billion stolen from NNPC will not stop us from reclaiming Government House after what Akpabio did to us.” Ibibio politician.

ALL it calling a dog a bad name in order to hang it; or what you like. But, the Ibibios, who constitute more than sixty five per cent of Akwa Ibom State, have regrouped under former Governor Victor Attah and they have jettisoned zoning. The next governor of Akwa Ibom State will be an Ibibio. Part of the reason for their change of mind on zoning is contained in the allegations quoted above.

They believe they have been relegated to second class citizenship by the Anang governor and they will not soon again concede the ticket to any other ethnic group. They also want to ensure that Akpabio does not even get the Senate seat he desperately wants. In that regard they have the support of the Oron nation who will hold Akpabio responsible for their predicament. Jonathan and Muazu have a stake in this; they will ignore the Ibibios at their own perils. You don’t believe me? Then read the following.

C

, IS THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE DOOMED BEFORE IT STARTS?

“I feel the strong temptation to plunge into political controversy, but …a politician must be the man of a party. I would fain to be the man of my whole country.” John Quin-

Educating Nigerian girls would transform our nation "You educate a man; you educate a man. You educate a woman; you educate a generation."-- Brigham Young HIS is one of my fa vourite quotes and one that holds true today and in every aspects of driving growth and progress for women and men around the globe. Sadly, this maxim is one that many governments, including Nigeria, have not striven to achieve. Last Saturday, March 8th marked the International Women's Day. The day set aside to celebrate the social, political and economic achievements of women. I attended several events in London and was very impressed of the individual and collective accounts of women's achievement and cooperation. They did in fact, inspired many by their accounts of their bravery, determination and zeal to succeed.

I read that Patience took to the rostrum to talk to the masses on international women's day. And in her speech, she described herself as "a passionate advocate of gender inclusion" and that she pledged to

T

cy Adams, 1767-1848.

I also prefer to be a man of my whole country; free to think and say what I believe is true without regard to which political party it favours. Truth and partisan politics are mutually exclusive; I have learnt. For years, I have stayed out of partisan politics. That did not mean that I did not have political beliefs. In fact, I am an unrepentant progressive; meaning that I lean towards the left pole of the political spectrum.

But, by and large, I have embraced the principle of non-partisan independence. If I agree or disagree with a politician or a political party and its members, it is a mere coincidence.

That explains why, with all the criticisms of President

continue to work with great commitment with other African First Ladies across the continent to promote gender equity, especially in her capacity as the President of the African First Ladies Peace Mission.

Here we go again! African first ladies peace mission! It rears its ugly head, smacks so much of opportunism rather than a genuine determination to address the glaringly obvious and disparate disparity and inequality of our women folks in Nigeria. We, and I mean US! Men and women alike have to facilitate the change in the way we raise our children and treat our women. They do say the first classroom is the family. Children learn lot by watching and they will act it out. The nation does not need a fancy pink elephant to enable us to make these changes. What we need is a change in our psyche that puts fairness and civility in the heart of how we treat one another.

We need to value all our children, regardless of gender and provide them with the opportunity of education, advance equality of opportunities, reduce dis-

crimination in our homes, institutions and establishments.

I know it is a tall order but we need to strive to make our country better, not throw our hands up and give up because we are determined that it cannot be done.

Doing nothing is not an option and it will ultimately be our own undoing. It sounds dramatic, doesn't it?

Tell me, please what are the options and don't tell; nothing.

We have to advocate for the next generation and our passivity to move the agenda forward tantamount to negligence and abandonment of our duty as parents, citizens and as Africans.

Call me a cynic, but the dame seems to be inferring that the First ladies peace mission will and can do this. I disagree. There is no

,

I have embraced the principle of non-partisan independence. If I agree or disagree with a politician or a political party and its members, it is a mere coincidence

,

not satisfy everybody and those dissatisfied had made sure he felt the sharp edges of their tongues and pens. I want to thank him immensely for not disappointing me. Nobody can produce a perfect document.

Then modalities were announced by the Federal Government. That was when the fears started to gain the upper-hand over my faith. I am still not sure that Jonathan has approved the modalities presented by Okurounmu and co; but, it is likely that he had amended them somewhat. By the time the selection process was announced, it was clear, to me at least, that we might have started on the road to hell – which, as usual, is always paved with good intentions.

Because this column could easily have been titled ANOTHER ADVENTURE IN PROPHECY, and it would still have been appropriate, let me quickly mention my first and deepest fear. We might not even get off the ground floor – the National Conference might break up within the first few days over the determination of certain groups to visit areas, such as secession, which the government had declared a No-Go area…..Then what?

POSER: Professor Bolaji Akinyemi is on the Amnesty Committee which has not been disbanded — while BokoHaram gets more violent. He has now been appointed as Vice Chairman of National Conference which has three months to perform another miracle.

Does that make sense?

Jonathan, his political party, PDP, as well as some of his appointees, I embraced the idea of National Conference with both arms. But, then the modalities were still unknown at the time.

My reasons for supporting the idea were based on hope and faith. I had hope that, after years of mounting despair about the defects in our 1999 Constitution and the disenchantment of

tion of Senator (Dr) Okurounmu as Chairman of the Committee to undertake the spadework for the National Conference, was, for me a plus. Okurounmu, was an ASPAU Scholar, so was I; he was in NADECO to which I was a sympathizer and I regard him as a principled individual sent out on a difficult, and perhaps, thankless task. It was not surprising to me that he did

V i s i t : www.delesobowale.com or Visit: www.facebook.com/ biolasobowale

Someone tell this fragrant lady that that boat has sailed and she is not in tune with what is going on with the average Nigerian women. There is so much fluff in her sound bites and not enough substance.

The time to act is not now; the time to act was yesterday that is the urgency of the matter. When someone tells us, that unless we succumb to their demands, they will not or cannot make changes. We should be wary of such people.

What have they done in the last couple of years when they had the opportunity? If they have not made any tangible changes, what are the chances they would do the second time around?

GEJ and Patience please take note; you missed the opportunity to use the office for the better. What should have been happening is

istration. It seems that they got their priorities wrong in terms of gender inequality. Only when it is tackled systematically and well-resourced that that the prominence of women and real change can take place.

This is the time to depoliticize, time to realise that if we ignore the advancement of majority of women(not the privilege few),we sign off our country to the doldrums of repression, poverty and low standing in league of advance nations.

It is no point putting up a show and pontificating with sound bites. We should not relegate our duties to the self-appointed "saviours" of the cause. We, as individuals should serve and strive to make the changes. Afterall, we are what Nigeria is waiting for.

So the time for changes depends on all and not the elite few. We can no longer blame our misfortunes on a government, on our colonial past, on archaic establishments nor the continent.

And comparing ourselves to poorly performing countries is not clever. We should strive to be better than our selves. The problem is we have very low expectations of ourselves and each other.

The facts are there for all to see: The World Bank stated that in Nigeria, if young Nigerian women had the same employment rates as young Nigerian men, they would add 13.9 billion Naira in annual GDP. So we have to encourage our young women to live up to their full potential. So the

challenge for Nigeria is ; how to change the lives of Nigeria's 80.2 million women and girls who have a reduced life chances. As the real and depressing fact is that one-quarter to one-half of girls in developing counties become mothers before age 18 according to the United Nations Population Fund. The focus should therefore be on health and human rights of girls and women.

In a statement, the Programme Officer, Development Communications, DevComs, Network disclosed that, "in spite of the increasing participation of women in government, it is worrisome that the rate of violence against women and the persistent deaths of women due to complications of pregnancies and childbirth still remain a major debacle for many women as many African countries are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to reduce maternal deaths". What have Nigeria done despite the pledge along with over 188 other countries vowed to reduce by half her maternal mortality rate by the year 2015.The government in 2001, pledged to set a target of at least 15percent of their annual budget to improve the health sector.

This has not happened. In 2013, Nigeria's budget was 9.4precent less than the recommended rate agreed upon. And the country's health budget during the period was 5.6precent as against the recommended 15percent suggested by the African Leaders."

We should not relegate our duties to the self-appointed "saviours" of the cause. We, as individuals, should serve and strive to make the changes.

Afterall, we are what Nigeria is waiting for

need for aggrandizing the role and looking for a personalised legacy here. The dame in her address stated that "Now is the time to listen to the voices of women, to fully engage them and to make women's empowerment and gender equity a priority."

several ethnic nationalities, as well as virtually, all sections of the country, we might, at last, start to make the amendments which will move us towards a more just society. My faith rested in the belief that President Jonathan, despite his enormous faults, means well for Nigeria this time around and like Adams, who was a President of the United States, would say to himself, “that I may never be governed in my public conduct by any consideration other than that of my duty.”

It is too early to determine whether my faith in Jonathan was misplaced. I pray not.

My faith was strengthened by a peculiar bias of mine, which must be disclosed upfront. The selec-

,

that, the government and its officers should be encouraging advocacy for women's advancement everywhere in every way. The task should not be for an unelected figure head, it should be left to specialists and a priority by the admin-

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014, PAGE 19

Aviation reforms: Nigeria still too far behind ful things and processes that are absent in Nigeria but as I said those did not really bother me. I was rather weighed down by the fact that there was no Nigeria Airways to fly us to the exhibition. So, it was Ethiopia Airlines that came to

country; a stopover I didn’t really require. If so, why didn’t I use Dubai’s national airline - Emirate airline?

The airline, we were told is ‘allowed’ to fly only to and from Lagos. It doesn't operate in Abuja. In other words, for Abuja travellers

,

E

XACTLY one week ago, I left Nigeria for Dubai to attend the annual international broadcast exhibition -CABSAT 2014. Considering that the Dubai Emirate is a rich country, it was easy to appreciate the magnificent difference between Dubai, its main city and Abuja - our own self-acclaimed fastest growing city in Africa.

However, some of my professional colleagues could not help discussing some of the structures that were put in use during the exhibition.

They noted for instance that without being uncharitable, our most beautiful International Conference Centre in Garki, Abuja can only pass for a village square when compared to the Dubai World Trade Centre-the venue of CABSAT 2014. Yet, our so-called conference center in Garki serves as a tourist centre for our fellow citizens who often travel long distances to see the marvels of Abuja.

Of course, in Dubai, we saw real beauty - wonder-

The arrangement is that everyone has to walk there. We didn’t also see ‘big’ men whether legislators or tycoons whose cars as in Nigeria blocked the entrance routes. So, we have quite some work to do in our reforms

,

my rescue. I probably would not have bothered about that choice if my trip was to Addis Ababa. That I had to fly Ethiopia airline to Dubai left me with some pains more so as I had to be taken first to Addis Ababa –the capital of the airline’s home

who prefer Emirate airline, Lagos is an unavoidable stopover.

If I chose to go through Lagos would I not have missed the flight while struggling with the city’s characteristic traffic congestion? But why can’t an

PhD, Department of Philosophy, University of Lagos,

08116759758

Nigeria’s Centenary celebration and its discontents (2) especially through crude oil exports, might lead one to support the owambe at Abuja. In that regard, recently, government officials have been telling Nigerians that the economy is growing. Although I am not an economist, my educated guess is that the figures indicating growth in the midst of relentless pauperisation, deindustrialisation and shambolic infrastructure must have been arrived at by selective manipulation of some economic indices.

Keep in mind that statistics are like bikinis; what they reveal is interesting, but what they conceal is even more interesting. Beneath the superficial statistical evidence of economic prosperity, the fundamentals of Nigeria's economy, largely, are still as underdeveloped, still as dependent on foreign multinationals, as they were shortly after amalgamation. In some cases, they are even worse now. To substantiate that claim would require detailed exploration of the country's economic development from 1914 to 2014, which would take our analysis too far afield.

All the same, one or two examples are enough to justify our assessment above. In the 1960s, Eastern region was rated among the fastest growing economies in the world.

Then, Nigeria was slightly ahead of Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia in economic development. Presently, revenge mentality against Ndigbo by Northerners who dominated the highest political office in the country and malignant greed among Igbo leaders

,

They point to the big brother role Nigeria has played, and still plays, in the West African sub-region and in the African continent as a whole. One can concede all that and still maintain, correctly in my view, that although the country might be beautiful abroad, she is ugly at home. Even so, Nigeria's standing in Africa, and in the world generally, has nosedived since the 1990s. For instance, the irritating subordinate status accorded Nigeria during the burial of Nelson Mandela is a telling demonstration that things have fallen apart with respect to her rating by other African countries.

President Jonathan, just like his predecessors, appears not to grasp the wisdom encoded in the Igbo saying that ana esi n'ulo mara mma puo ama (charity begins from home). It is plain self-deception to expect respect and recognition from other countries when the quality of governance at home is mediocre and a sizeable percentage of the citizens are using every means possible to leave the country in pursuit of better life elsewhere, real or imagined.

On the economic front, consideration of the large quantum leap in revenue generated since amalgamation, first through the sale of cash crops and now

airline fly from its own capital city to ours? In this instant case, why can’t Emirate fly from Abuja to Dubai? What is International about the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport when some international airlines are barred from operating there? This was a poser my broadcast team first discussed while waiting to board. An unofficial source told us that for that to happen, top Nigerian aviation officials would have to be ‘seen’. Did the recent reforms by our aviation ministry consider this?

If so, was it not clear that the concept of “seeing” dents the country’s image?

Anyway, my first experience on board Ethiopia Airline was that the flight took off on schedule as if it was a British airways flight.

Thus, daily apologies by our indigenous airlines about every flight being "delayed due to operational reasons” didn’t happen. On arrival in Addis Ababa, there were no military, police, custom, DSS and protocol officials etc. to give travellers any directions.

Well displayed signs did all of that. We were led into the transit lounge which was simply decorated but quite functional. While there, we had nothing to worry about as flight movements were announced at regular intervals in different languages.

The microphones ably amplified the announcer ’s voice; loud and clear. It was a far departure from the typical Nigerian airport where travellers need to solicit the aid of different per-

sons to translate for them into English, announcements that were supposedly being made also in English. So, is the installation of quality microphones in our airports part of our proclaimed aviation reforms?

an's administration should have done is to have a very low-key event without the shenanigan that reached its nauseating apogee at the award/dinner night in Abuja.

One of the most important ingredients in the evolution of great nations is a nexus of generally accepted symbols and narratives that provides psycho-spiritual consciousness necessary for social cohesion and patriotism. The United States of America, despite her egregious failures at both domestic and international fronts, is a supreme example of this. America is a pluralistic country like Nigeria, and although its history is different from Nigeria and Americans

and visionary leaders.

Americans are lucky. Over the years, a reasonable number of political leaders with these qualities, which motivated them to put America first in their decisions and actions, have made America the greatest nation on earth presently.

In our own situation, the reverse seems to be the case. With the passage of time, succeeding generations of Nigerian leaders become less and less patriotic.

At independence, there was high expectation that prominent Nigerian politicians would put aside their differences and work together in the interest of our fledgling republic. Unfortunately, they failed to rise to the challenge. Since then, particularly since the Biafran war ended in 1970, Nigerian leadership has been dominated by clever scoundrels devoid of deep understanding of what leadership is all about. One should not be deceived by symbols of unity such as the national flag, coat of arms, a unitarist constitution, a federal capital territory, a unified armed forces, single currency, the national youth service corps etc. The ruling elite has continuously perverted and deployed these things to serve sectional and selfish interests.

Looking at the issue more closely, Nigerians seem to forget that nationhood is, fundamentally, a mental phenomenon. In other words, for a nation to emerge, the people that constitute it must chare a collective vision of their unity and collective destiny, based on the conviction that what unites them is much more enduring and worthy of preservation than what differentiates them.

Hence, historically speaking nations emerge when

Keep in mind that statistics are like bikinis; what they reveal is interesting, but what they conceal is even more interesting. Beneath the superficial statistical evidence of economic prosperity, the fundamentals of Nigeria's economy, largely, are still as underdeveloped, still as dependent on foreign multinationals, as they were shortly after amalgamation

have led to near-total collapse of industrialisation in Igboland. Moreover, Nigeria has the nasty reputation of being one of the richest countries in the world with the greatest percentage of poor people. Oby Ezekwesili, a former member of the ruling elite, sometime ago claimed that Nigeria has made over $600 billion from crude oil sales. In my opinion, rapacious public officials have probably stolen up to half that amount, thereby spreading mass poverty nationwide. Therefore, on the economic front, Nigerian leaders, with a few exceptions, are a stinking disgrace. The best Jonath-

,

have had much longer experience in nation building than us, after a hundred years our leaders seem to have learnt nothing from American history.

Now, the kernel of psychospiritual consciousness for nation building is captured in the famous exhortation of J.F. Kennedy "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask for what you can do for your country."

But such consciousness is created, nurtured and disseminated through exemplary leadership, which understands that the destiny of nations lies in the hands of selfless, committed, transparent, disciplined

The Addis Ababa airport was eventful - there were activities; shops, shops and shops that were arranged to invite travellers to procure duty-free items. On its part, our own Abuja airport is virtually barren. Are there no entrepreneurs to make our airports business-like or is the allocation of space for such businesses also subject to “seeing” decision makers? From the lounge, we were conveyed in a bus to the Dubai- bound aircraft although the distance from the lounge to the aircraft was less than a stone throw. In fairness, this also happens in Nigeria just that the movement of passengers by bus to an aircraft in Nigeria is occasional as buses are sometimes unavailable. In Addis Ababa, no one, no matter his status is allowed to walk on the tarmac. As a matter of fact, the young man who sat by me in the bus introduced himself as one of the senior ministers of the host country but there was no policeman around him to provide him with what is called security in Nigeria. He did not also have a team of special assistants to carry his hand-luggage.

On arrival in Dubai, it was like a new world. The International Airport alone

has several Terminals. The large crowd that had to pass through the immigration posts tells clearly that we were at a tourist destination making it unnecessary to publicise how much investment was coming to the city. Their own aviation officials did not isolate any passenger with likely huge foreign exchange for special handling. Again, there was no crowd at the arrival gate notwithstanding that the distance between the gate and car parks was not too close. The arrangement is that everyone has to walk there. We didn’t also see ‘big’ men whether legislators or tycoons whose cars as in Nigeria blocked the entrance routes. So, we have quite some work to do in our reforms.

Most importantly, we need to note that Ethiopia and Dubai have not under the guise of searching for viable institutions privatized everything in their country. In Nigeria on the other hand, all our assets apart from may be the Presidential Villa have been sold off over the years, hence we sold the Nigeria Airways some years back to unnamed fronts at give-away prices. Our current reforms must reverse that. If Nigeria is not a strong brand, the adverse effect of the absence of Nigeria Airways cannot be wished away. If brought back, Nigeria Airways has to be run by a leader with a strong character and not those who are put in office because it is easy to manipulate them. groups of people feel the need to share a common life in a given geopolitical space, on the foundation of shared history, culture, psycho-spiritual affinities and belief in a common destiny. The physical symbols enumerated a moment ago merely give effect to deepseated awareness of belonging to a nation.

Bearing in mind that nation building is necessarily a continuous process anchored on certain socially cohesive emotional and philosophical orientation, can we say that in the last hundred years, given the country's human and natural resource endowments, Nigeria has made satisfactory progress on the road to a great nation to warrant celebration? To be candid, the answer to that question is, no. As already observed, Nigerians from different ethnic nationalities and culture areas are yet to see themselves as belonging to one nation the way Americans, Israelis or Germans do. The average Nigerian considers loyalty to his or her ethnic group more compelling and important than loyalty to Nigeria.

Again, in a religion-intoxicated society such as ours, people, especially Muslims, tend to put their religion first before Nigeria.

This is why several decades ago Chief Obafemi Awolowo described Nigeria as a mere geographical expression. The attitude that prompted Awolowo to make that comment has remained relatively unchanged despite the recurrent shibboleth or slogan of "One Nigeria" by our leaders. To sum up: in terms of mature psycho-spiritual consciousness necessary for nation building, there is very little to celebrate.

To be concluded.

PAGE 20—SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014 caused me to put myself in harm's way to defend a total stranger. I believe most people are repulsed by bloodshed and people of faith in particular should be more so. Mob justice is a reaction to the evil of robbers who show no mercy and I totally understand people's reaction to want to make them pay where

T

HE older I get the more I ap preciate the wisdom of calm de tachment and the beauty of silence. In Christianity, there is a potent fear of little foxes, seemingly innocent faults and weaknesses that could send one to hell and cost one to lose the salvation we all treasure. Lately I have been working on curbing my impulsiveness. When I look at myself and check for little foxes, I easily identify my impulsive nature as fox number one. It almost feels like I am wired differently from most people as I tend to react and respond as fast as lightning to most situations. Where others will take time to ponder and contemplate, I just react, spurred on by a gut instinct that controls my actions almost automatically. For the most part its a blessing as I am actually very fast on my feet and can think analytically even when under extreme pressure. The conundrum is informed by my moral compass that is very different from most. I don't believe in bigotry, I cannot abide any form of bullying and I always stand up to the defence of the underdog. The result is that I will challenge authority whether constituted or otherwise without a thought to the consequence to myself or even others and that I am determined to curb. There are many wrong ways to do the right thing and acting impulsively doesn't always give one time to find the right way to do the right thing at the right time.

Last thursday should have been just like any other day, as busy as normal.

I had 3 meetings back to back and by midday I was running pretty late. I was just about to wrap up my second one when I heard a blood curdling scream down stairs from what sounded like the direction of my car and I ran out from my location to find a grown man being beaten by what was fast becoming a mob. My rogue impulse kicked in and I flew downstairs to rescue a total stranger from big angry men, wielding weeps and other dangerous weapons. The patron saint or angel that protects the impulsive and possibly stupid was working overtime as I was able to stop the mayhem and rescue the man in question. He was being accused of stealing a small bottle of engine oil worth N500 and I was livid that he could be killed for that. My opposition to his lynching was not based on any proof of innocence, it was based on the value I place on human life; surely a life that God gave is worth more than $3 for heaven's sake! I am against mob justice, lynching or bloodshed of any sort and my gut reaction is to resist it.

Not trusting the police or justice system is not enough for anyone or groups of people to administer a death sentence.

A few hours later I was pondering the above event and while I didn't regret my actions I knew I had once again failed to control the impulse that

,

Impulses; the little foxes

My repulsion comes from arbitrary killings by mobs who constitute of people who didn't even know what happened, witnessed any wrong doing but who just grab weapons and begin to hack people to death.

,

possible. I agree that they should pay and the constitution certainly makes capital punishment the end of such convicted robbers. My repulsion comes from arbitrary killings by mobs who constitute of people who didn't even know what happened, witnessed any wrong doing but who just grab weapons and begin to hack people to death.

Not too long ago 4 young men, who turned out to be innocent were beaten, hacked and burnt to death by such a mob and they will forever be remembered as the Alu 4. Those vibrant young men would be alive today if the law had been given a chance to run its course. Most of the villagers who joined in the gruesome murder of those boys didn't even know why they were being beaten. Since the tragedy of the Alu 4 my impulse to protect and defend the dignity and sanctity of life is trigger fast.

To some my intervention would be stupid and it shouldn't surprise anyone that I totally agree; it was so stupid! If I had given myself time to think about it I would probably feel fear for myself and cowered like all the others who watched in disgust from their balconies. I could possibly have achieved the same result if I had alerted the building manager; that would have been the smart thing to do. It was a dangerous situation and I cant even claim that I had any courage or confidence there and then; I had simply reacted without pausing to consider fear or consequences. As a defining moment, I hope it would count for me in the eyes of God for righteousness but in my quest to rid myself of those pesky foxes, it counts as a failure. I need to bring my impulses under control and I have been praying about it, I have also asked those nearest and dearest to me to help. There are many things in the world I don't agree with but being a loose canon is not going to make effective change happen. One of my favourite Bible verses is Psalm 19:13 "Keep back your servant from presumptuous sins, let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless and innocent of great transgressions" They say you are halfway to solving a problem if you admit you have it and I certainly need to rein in my impulses. Whatever you cant control you are subject to and I refuse to be subject to anything or anyone other than the Most High God. One of my impulses has been to quit the column, I just feel like I am all talked out! I continue because I am encouraged by a few people who believe it is an integral part of my life's journey. The column has evolved from "fun to calling" and I give God the glory for a platform to be blessed and be a blessing. So I trudge along in my journey and pray God to remove the sin of presumption from me, impulses when not subject to control are just that and count as little foxes, they can't be allowed to spoil the vine...

Jonathan and the burden of national unity

BY PERI-MONDAY OKONNY VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF The President should see himself as somebody on rescue mission

T

HESE days, several important national issues are competing for attention in the polity, but at the centre of it all is the question about the unity of Nigeria which has been given a fresh spark by the centenary celebrations to mark the amalgamation of the country, as well as the upcoming National Conference. During the preparation for the centenary celebrations, the debate was whether it was important or not for us to mark with so much pageantry the 100th years of the formation of Nigeria at amalgamation. In 1914, the British colonial administration under Governor Lord Lugard merged two different entities, the Southern and Northern Protectorates, and named it “Nigeria”.

This was how the journey of the chequered history of Nigeria’s unity began.

Of course, the Jonathan administration won the argument. It contended that even though the country might not have gotten it right in terms of its governance structure, socio-economic, political and infrastructural development; even though the journey of its nationhood has obviously been rough and bloody, there are a lot to cheer about the unity of Nigeria. There is, especially the resilience and strenght of its

unity which has impacted positively on Africa and the rest of the world. There is its enduring history of noble sacrifices and rare demonstration of courage by our men and women as well as the unyielding determination and spirit of its people.

But not every section of the country or Nigerian agrees with the the Jonathan administration on Nigeria’s unity thus prompting a poser: Is Nigeria indeed united? There are opposite views that the country’s so-called unity was done by colonial force. In other words, the consent of the two protectorates were not actually sought.

Again, in this skewed binary categorization of the large country along South and North, there are other generic relentless agitations by other minority tribes that complain about being subservient to the three big tribes.

While the South is mainly dominated

by Yoruba of the South-west, the Southeast dominated by the Igbo, the North is dominated by the Hausa/Fulani. This (the question of minority tribes) still remains one of the fundamental challenges to Nigeria’s unity today.

Perhaps, the most contentious argument is that the amalgamation of the country was done for colonial administrative convenience and maximum economic exploitation of the southern part of the country, particularly the South-south region. It is historically contextualized that while the people of the North likened the idea of amalgamation, the southern part of the country had kicked against forging

,

VIEWPOINT

The most contentious argument is that the amalgamation of the country was done for colonial administrative convenience and maximum economic exploitation of the southern part of the country, particularly the South-south region

,

unity among people of totally different cultures, religions and histories; a people of about 250 languages. This fear was made clearer and became heightened when oil discovered in a large commercial quantities in the Niger Delta region became the main source of Nigeria’s economy. It has continued to be explored and the revenue from the sale used to develop the North and the rest of the country. More disquieting is the fact that national census figures are regularly being rigged in favour of the North so as to give the region that is not contributing anything

to the national treasury comparative advantage in terms of distribution of national wealth.

There have been proposals that the country should revert to regional government structure, confederalism while others think the country will fare better if each section goes its separate ways. The question is: How do we, as a nation, correct these anomalies if we must together move forward as one united nation? Can the country survive these overwhelming situations?

Repeatedly, the Jonathan administration has reiterated its commitment to one united Nigeria against all odds.

Unless the roots of the problems bedeviling this country are dealt with squarely, the unity of the country will remain shaky and fragile. The President therefore needs to pragmatically mobilize all national forces in his power towards resolving all the contentious issues that have continued to push the unity of this country to the edge. He should see himself as a man on a rescue mission to rescue the nation from disintegration. Therefore, he should not pussy-feet; rather, this is the time for him to stand his ground by demonstrating courage, wisdom and political sagacity. Thus, he should take full advantage of the forthcoming National Conference as a veritable and grandest platform to address some of the knotty issues threatening the unity of the country. *Okonny is a public affairs analyst

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014, PAGE 21

How to save children from Internet harmful exposure, by Patience Jonathan

BY OMOBA KENNETH AIGBEGBELE To realize the objectives of International Telecommunication Union (ITU) child online protection initiative, the Champion, Dame Patience Jonathan, has called for concerted efforts between governments, stakeholders and private sectors, including the youth around the world. With the clarion call for action at the recent ITU world 2013, at Bangkok, Thailand, the First Lady emphasized the importance of global efforts for a common global theme to drive home this initiative, which she argued was achievable, timely and specific.

And this was why, having been inaugurated as a global ITU Child Online Protection Champion, she initiated the ‘1st National Youths Protection Online Summit in Nigeria,’ and the ‘Cyber Security Summit’ in Abuja to galvanize Africa on the new threats against the most vulnerable members of the society - children and youths. At this year ’s HIV/ AIDS programme in AddisAbaba, Ethiopia, on January 31, the First Lady stressed that the Internet revolution, in spite of the advantages of boosting knowledge, communication and social interaction, has also thrown up the challenge of imparting unwholesome behaviours that are promoting crime, child abuse, child pornography, among others.

Driving home the message that the unwholesome activities on the Internet and lack of effective monitoring and control expose children and the youths to immoral behaviours that predispose them to the risk of Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/ AIDS)—, Dame Jonathan opined that her new insight and vision into the dimension on HIV/ADIS pandemic was inspired by her activities as President of African First Ladies Peace Mission and as Global Champion of ITU Child Online Protection. She said the Federal Government has reflected deeply on these new challenges and have initiated series of enlightenment and sensitization campaigns to save African C M Y K

*Dame Patience Jonathan children and youths, and the world at large from Internet’s potential in scaling up the dreaded HIV/AIDS, and in designing new strategies of combating these latent threats.

Meanwhile, as part of her declaration for the Safer Internet Day (SID), on February 11, she invited stakeholders to re-state their commitments to further build expertise, develop educational programmes and curricula, to address a safe and responsible use of the

Internet, including the application of research works, presentations, and conferences that should be channeled to present day realities.

These summits, which included the ‘National Youth Online Protection Summit’ with the theme, ‘The Internet, Emerging Threats and Solutions for the Youths,’ and attracted over 2,000 youth leaders and followers from across the country, provided the youths a platform not only to interact among

themselves, but also ICT experts, Google, Microsoft, among others, brought to light the need to always change passwords within months of any Internet platforms.

In addition, at the ITU Global Youths Summit in Costa Rica, where youths from across the world were engaged in series of workshops, presentations and conversations, Dame Jonathan used that platform to highlight her priorities and concerns on the crucial national and international debates and decisions. She recalled that she hosted the “World Cyber Security Conference” which was not only timely, but instructive, in view of the need to address government, corporate bodies, individuals and ICT experts on the cyber space security, and the need to “avail all the opportunity to network, share knowledge and most important, seek strategic partnership in our continued dedication and commitment to raising international awareness and advocacy for child online protection and cyber security.”

She however, noted, she intends to create a viable

and sustainable COP campaign through multi-dimensional perspective that will be specific, measurable, realistic and time-bound. It was her intention, to harness multi- stakeholders’ collaborations to ensure that the ideals of COP remain on the front burner globally, especially with the proposed establishment of ITU Regional Cyber Security Centre in Nigeria.

While hopefully intensifying efforts to ensure that the Cyber Security Bill before the National Assembly in Nigeria is passed into law and she was also delighted to note that the bill is receiving tremendous support from the general public and has brought to the fore the dangers that the Internet portends for the future generation of Nigerian and the whole world’s children.

According to her, the new bill will drive home the global advocacy as she invited industry players, policy makers to join her to evolve policies and programmes. “This will protect our children in cyber space,” she said. *Aigbegbele is the Media Adviser to the First Lady of Nigeria.

Understanding Imoke on agriculture and wealth creation

I

BYADEOLAADENUGA

T is not so often that you are likely to come across a leader who is passion ate about almost anything and everything that has the potential of transforming his society or community.

But in Liyel Imoke, you will find a governor whose passion for what can conduce to infrastructural and human capital development is not only palpable but infectious.

Peerless in vision and creative in imagination, it has been one legacy project after another ever since he assumed office in Cross River State nearly seven years ago.

Under the Imoke administration, projects are considered on their potential to boost the state’s income profile and ultimately leave a telling impact on the citizenry.

Always thinking outside the box, Imoke reckoned that agriculture, as one of the vital components of the economy, must also occupy the pride of place in the state’s quest for sustainable development as well as attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

It was therefore not surprising when, in March 2013, he felt that Cross River State must also key into the Songhai Integrated Farm initiative.

Beyond the incentive of creating food sufficiency for the state’s teeming populace, the

Songhai Farm initiative has brought about a paradigm shift from mere subsistence to a full scale commercial agriculture.

Given the abundant agro-allied resources nature has endowed the state, there is urgent need, according to Imoke, to do away with the lethargic and out dated approach to agriculture and focus on how it can create wealth in order to tackle the challenges of unemployment and poverty.

While recently on an inspection of the state’s Songhai Farm Project, which is currently at 75per cent completion, Imoke, who decried subsistence approach to agriculture, quipped: “The problem we have had over time is that we never understood agriculture as a business.

It is because of the fact that we have engaged in a lot subsistent farming as a people for too long. We never really created the value that could be created out of agriculture and the opportunities for employment, poverty alleviation as well as the provision of food. The fact of the matter is that we have never really done it in the manner it should have been done.

That was why this project was developed and conceptualised.”

Designed as an incubation or training centre, on completion, the Songhai Farm project is expected to assist emerging farmers to improve on their farming techniques, methods and quality as well as improving their variety.

The governor who cannot wait its commissioning in the second quarter of this year,

•Gov. Imoke hinted: “First of all, we must understand the project for what it is. It is an incubation or service centre from where other local government areas will be fed.

“The government sent some youths for training at Songhai Farm in Benin Republic for six months. On their return, they got additional training at the Central Bank of Nigeria Entrepreneurship Development Centre preparatory to moving in here

Continues on page 23

PAGE 22—SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014

SIMON EBEGBULEM, BENIN CITY

P

oliticians from the Peo ple’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State may have issues with Governor Adams Oshiomhole in the urban Benin-City due to political interests, but people in the rural communities, particularly in Imeagbe, Imiakagbu, Okpekpe and many other communities in Etsako West, East and Etsako Central Local Government Councils all in Edo North see Oshiomhole as a messiah due to what they described as the miraculous jobs he did in their areas. The people go to the mosque, church and shrine praying for the governor to become the President of Nigeria.

One can only understand the reason for their prayers against the backdrop of the history of some of the communities before the coming of the administration of Oshiomhole. The stories of some of the communities were quite emotional when they were told last week by their elders when the governor went to inspect road projects and bridges there. Most of the communities were cut off due to the lack of access roads and bridges. As a matter of fact, wealthy sons and daughters from these areas preferred to build houses in Auchi and reside there with their families abandoning their ancestral homes. Successive governments in the state had been unable to open up the roads and link them up with bridges due to the difficult terrain.

There was also a belief that spirits in the area abhorred development as a result of which the area was destined to remain bushy and undeveloped. While the Anegbette axis is swampy, Okpekpe is hilly and rocky. And due to the terrain and lack of access roads, when a member of any of these communities died in the urban area during the rainy season, according to the villagers, he or she would not be buried until the next dry season. Consequently, Oshiomhole took the bull by the horn and blasted over 30 meters of the high hill and constructed three bridges linking over fifty communities in the district.

Today, the roads in Okpekpe with its hilly nature are as beautiful as the ones in San Francisco. That is why the International Athletics Federation hosted the Okpekpe race last year in which Oshiomhole participated. During the inspection of the road last week, the governor accosted a woman carrying bunches of banana from her farm in Imiagba to negotiate the price with her. As a typical rural woman, she did not know she was speaking with the governor of Edo State and simply told Oshiomhole that she could sell the banana at any price.

When she was given N50, 000 for three bunches of the banana, she screamed as the amount C M Y K

Communities where they couldn’t bury their dead!

•Oshiomhole to the rescue

was too much for the produce.

She went on to inform the governor that she was ready to give out the banana for free to government because of the road they built for them. She said: “Oshiomhole built the road for us and God will bless him.

At least we now see people moving around and we can now take our farm produce to the market. God will bless Oshiomhole”. Unknown to her, the man in front of her was Oshiomhole; apparently she thought he was a sanitary inspector as one of the government officials said.

Inspecting roads with the Edo governor is like engaging in a marathon race. The governor can afford to walk ten kilometres during inspections, meticulously looking at the quality of work done.

Sometimes he turns a civil engineer. Though his style of inspecting projects is always painful, it has helped some of his commissioners who have pot bellies. For instance the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Abdul Oroh, has trimmed down.

In Etsako East LGA, Oshiomhole inspected the Ayogwiri- Apana-Imiegba-Imiakebu road as well as the Apana-Okpekpe road, which cut through difficult rocky terrain.

The roads are complete with bridges. Contrary to the insinuation in Benin- City that the governor ’s popularity has dwindled due to his tax policies, men, women including the elderly thronged the

streets to show their love and appreciation to him.

Addressing a jubilant crowd of residents at Imiakebu, who described the road cutting through the rocky terrain as a wonder of the century, Oshiomhole said, “I came here to assess the extent of work.

When we started the road construction, people thought it will not be completed. Any good thing in man’s heart, God has a way of starting and bringing it to an end.Today, I am glad that the road project has been completed on schedule.

You can see the quality of the road, so by the grace of God, we will bring more development.” He used the occasion to direct the construction of a roundabout at the end of the Okpekpe road. He also promised to sink a borehole in Okpekpe so that the people can

have access to potable water.

While appreciating the efforts of the governor, the Onwuwueko of Okpekpe, Peter Osigbemhe, expressed thanks for the strides in road and schools in the area.

In Etsako Central, Oshiomhole, who was accompanied by the Chairman of the council, Mr Emmanuel Momoh, and the Commissioner for Works, Osarodion Ogie, inspected the Ugbekpe-Ekperi-UdabaAnegbete road which is complete with two bridges. The governor noted that the road had to be redesigned and reconstructed following the flood disaster in the area, last year, occasioned by the overflowing of the banks of the River Niger, saying the state government will only build roads that will last. The clan head of Anegbette, Ogbodaga Yakubu,

thanked the governor for the infrastructural development in Edo North and his effort at alleviating the plight of rain storm victims in the town and environs.

Also in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area, Oshiomhole inspected the Council road, Iyofa road, Okotokwe road, Iyekhe road among others which were completed with drainage system. The governor told the jubilant crowd who trooped out to receive him, “I decided to come and see all the roads in these areas. People can see what we are doing on the major roads but can’t see what we are doing in the villages and traditional areas where there were no roads. We decided that to fight erosion in Auchi, any road we are doing must include drainage so that water can flow in a coordinated manner”.

He appealed to people in the area to avoid dumping refuse in the drainage so as to keep the channels free. Governor Oshiomhole who was also at Jattu inspected the Jattu -Elele Road which is also complete with side drains.

Asked how the governor had been able to execute these projects despite the dwindling allocation from the Federation Account, the state Commissioner for Works, Barr.Ogie said, “It is a matter of priority. The governor had to look inward to beef up the internally generated revenue and he was able to block loopholes in government. It is purely discipline.

Just as we are working in urban areas, we are also working in rural areas as you can see during the inspection. The same standard of road you saw in Edo North is in Central and South senatorial districts and that is why you see that the people are happy. And once the people at the grassroots are happy, the governor is happy no matter what the opposition wants to say. You will recall that he started work in areas that were abandoned, and these are the areas where the downtrodden resides and you can see that when you help such people, God will never abandon you at the time of your need.

His works will campaign for the APC in 2015 and 2016 and that is why we are not troubled”.

Beauty queens for Excellence Recognition Awards 2014 This year ’s edition of Excellence Recognition Awards hold today at The Haven, Oba Akinjobi, Ikeja, Lagos.

Miss Thelma Christopher Timipre, Miss Capital City Nigeria Hospitality and Miss Genevieve Anaele, Most Beautiful Girl in Eko Environment Beauty Queens, and Mrs Blessing Edekan, Miss Tourism Queen, are expected to grace the occasion. The three queens and senior management staff will be led by Mr. Scherey Momoh, CEO, Ereon Pageantry and

Say Publishing Company.

Speaking on the event, the management of Global Excellence magazine described the awards’as the biggest award ceremony in Nigeria, According to the organizers, receipients of this year ’s awards cut across political, business, economy, social, sport, telecom, security and fashion. The award ceremony is billed to attract who is who in Nigeria and celebrities in movie, fashion and music.

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014, PAGE 23

A large producer of cash crops without roads! *Our self-help initiatives – Igwe Agboji

BY CHINENYE OZOR, Nsukka

B

arely one year of ascending the throne of Unadu in Igbo Eze South Local Government Area, Enugu State, Igwe Okechukwu Agbaji has changed the face of his community by initiating developmental projects.

Speaking at his Obaka-Unadu palace, Agbaji, a one- time legislator in Enugu State House of Assembly, explained that his community lacks social amenities due to the fact that government did not factor Unadu community into its projects.

He noted that his programme include police assisted neighborhood watch and education among others, pointing out that before mounting the throne, he offered scholarship to a good number of youths in the community.

Outside the security network, the first project the royal father attracted was Obaka-Unadu model health center. Agbaji also said that electricity was a big challenge to the community before he ascended the throne as Power Holding Company had been coming with bogus electricity bills, pointing out that he took the census of the community to determine its consuming power yielded results.

“The community reform agenda is in

series. I formed a formidable neighborhood watch which works day and night to safeguard lives and property in the community. Before now, crime had been on the increase due to the fact that the right person has not been put at the right place and things went wrong but now no criminal can penetrate the community without being fished out,” he said “I arranged with the Igbo-Eze South Police Division to be visiting the community at intervals and join hands with the local vigilante and things are working well. My community is the largest producer of cash crops in Enugu State but lacks good roads to evacuate their agricultural produce to urban centres. I pleaded with Senator Ayogu Eze and he lived up to his promise as Unadu road construction is on-going to link the community with Odoru in Kogi State.

The traditional ruler pointed that he has recovered his peoples land that were forcefully taken, adding that some unpatriotic indigenes of the community went through the back door claiming people’s land with little money.

He explained that the community, apart from legal criminal law, adopts

Understanding Imoke on agriculture and wealth creation Farm. That is the beauty of it.”

Continued from page 21 to start work. And, hopefully, some of them would leave here and start something similar to this.

“The idea is to create value for agriculture. Of course, the value for agriculture is not in the planting, harvesting and selling. It is rather in the value chain. For instance, the value in agriculture is not that you plant pineapple, harvest and sell it. The value is in processing that pineapple, packaging it, labeling and putting it out in the market.

“At the end, you make four to ten times more money from the same pineapple than you would have made if you just harvested it and sold it as pineapple. And that goes for everything that they are doing here. They have done a lot of research and that is why everything is organic with no fertilizers. The crops are high yielding. There is also the application of inexpensive technology. There is nothing synthetic or sophisticated in what is going on at the Songhai C M Y K

How Songhai Farm will be run The farm, like most projects spread across the state, though being funded by the government, will be run privately, devoid of government’s involvement.

Imoke shed more light: “A project like this is not going to be driven purely by government.

The initial funding and takeoff of the project is borne by government. The farm was designed to be run by the Songhai organisation. The organisation has done this with tremendous success in many parts of Africa.

It is recognised globally as one of the most outstanding success stories in agriculture in the world. That is what we are trying to achieve and it should be sustainable.

“The Songhai project must not be viewed from the narrow prism of site alone. It is a huge project that has the potential of generating thousands of jobs for our teeming youths. It has also tremendous potential for wealth creation and for those who may

•Igwe Agboji

the traditional way of conflict resolution, stressing that two brothers sold out family lands at give-away prices and without the consent of their mother, a widow, who cried to the palace and the lands were recovered with the cash crops.

Agbaji noted that his reform agenda was

decide to go into this type of farming that is driven by technology, knowledge and market.

That is what we are trying to achieve.”

Hostel accommodation There is a hostel accommodation in place for two sets of workers- those who will be working permanently on the farm and those who will be trained on skills acquisition, following which they will leave to set up their own farms to be funded by the state government. So, the farm is going to serve as a processing hub or a collection centre. The hostel is ready to take off in March with the quartering of the first set of 20 trainees. There is also a library, classrooms and conference halls for trainees or students.

A two-star hotel is also being planned to take care of visitors and tourists to the farm.

On completion, the Songhai Integrated Farm limited is expected to be one of the governor ’s several legacy projects designed to create jobs, meet the state’s food sufficiency and as a spinoff, transform the state’s fast growing economy.

a team work with members of his cabinet, noting that Enugu State government has approved a secondary school for the community, stressing that academic activities would commence there next session.

Yobe students killing condemned

By Favour Nnabugwu A non-government organisation, World International Movement Against Satanic Terrorism (WIMAST), has decried the killing of school children at the Federal Government College, Buni-Yadi in Yobe State.

WIMAST President, Prince Andy Koroma, in a statement jointly signed with the group secretary, Mr Vonjen Lar, said the murder of the students was barbaric and an act of cowardice. They described the insurgents action as evil, unAfrican, inhuman and condemnable.

They prayed to God to grant the parents of the deceased the fortitude to bear the loss. ”The killings in the country are becoming too frequent, urging government to redouble its security efforts in the troubled state”, they added.

CORRECTION In Sunday Vanguard of March 9,2014 at page 54, we carried an advertorial by Government College Bomadi 1975 Graduating Class headlined, ‘A Tribute to our Mentor ’. In it, the photograph of Robinson Esite, Esq, a former National Secretary of the Ijaw National Congress (INC),was erroneously used in the place of Chief Anthony Ebikpobebe Bamuza, JP. Below is the correct photograph of the late Chief Anthony Ebikpobebe Bamuza, JP. We apologise to Robinson Esite, Esq for the embarrassment caused him. We wish him long life in sound health-Editor

PAGE 24 — SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014

AS MYSTERY DEEPENS ONE WEEK AFTER VAIN SEARCH...

‘Lost Malaysian airliner with 239 on board diverted deliberately’

BY WALE AKINOLA with agency report missing Malaysian air liner was likely to have been deliberately steered to a course that could have taken it anywhere from central Asia to the southern Indian Ocean, Malaysia’s prime minister said yesterday.

Minutes after Malaysian leader Najib Razak outlined investigators’ latest findings about flight MH370, police began searching the house of the aircraft’s 53-year-old captain for any evidence that he could have been involved in foul play.

The Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-200ER vanished from radar screens a week ago with 239 crew and passengers aboard.

Najib, giving his first statement at a news conference since then, confirmed reports that investigators believe somebody cut off the plane’s communications and steered it west, far from its scheduled route to Beijing.

“In view of this latest development the Malaysian authorities have refocused their investigation into the crew and passengers on board,” he said.

“Despite media reports the plane was hijacked, I wish to be very clear, we are still investigating all possibilities as to what caused MH370 to deviate.”

Search operations by navies and aircraft from more than a dozen nations were immediately called off in the Gulf of Thailand and the South China Sea to the east of Malaysia, where the plane dropped off civilian air traffic control screens at 1:22 a.m. last Saturday (1722 GMT on Friday).

India stepped up its search in two areas at the request of Malaysia - one around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and another further west across the Bay of Bengal - but found no evidence that would indicate that the plane had come down in its waters, the Defence Ministry said.

A senior military official in Port Blair, capital of the archipelago, said Indian aircraft had combed waters stretching up to 300 nautical miles offshore and overflown all 572 islands in the chain but “we don’t have anything so far”.

India’s Eastern Naval Command was investigating a separate rectangular ‘box’ 15 km wide by 600 km long, some 900 km east of Port Blair, but had found nothing.

Malaysia’s said new data showed the last communication between the missing plane and satellites at 8:11 a.m. (0011

A

•A woman writes a message for passengers aboard the missing Malaysia Airlines plane, at a shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, yesterday.

GMT), almost seven hours after it turned back and crossed the Malay peninsula.

The data did not show whether the plane was still flying or its location at that time, presenting searchers with a daunting array of possible last locations. Seven hours more flying time would likely have taken it to the limit of its fuel load.

Najib said the plane’s final communication with satellites placed it somewhere in one of two corridors: a northern corridor stretching from northern Thailand to the border of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, or

ed that it was sending a technical team to Malaysia to help with the investigation.

China’s Xinhua state news agency said in a commentary that Najib’s disclosure of the new details was “painfully belated”.

“And due to the absence - or at least lack - of timely authoritative information, massive efforts have been squandered, and numerous rumors have been spawned, repeatedly racking the nerves of the awaiting families,” it said.

FOUL PLAY The fate of flight MH370 has been shrouded in mystery since

But investigators have increasingly discounted the possibility of an accident due to the deliberate way it was diverted and had its communications switched off a southern corridor stretching from Indonesia to the vast southern Indian Ocean.

“Clearly, the search for MH370 has entered a new phase,” said Najib, whose government has come under criticism for its slow release of information surrounding what is one of the most baffling mysteries in aviation history.

About two-thirds of the passengers on board the flight were Chinese, and Beijing has been showing increasing impatience with the speed and coordination of the Malaysian search effort.

Yesterday, China said it had demanded that Malaysia keep providing more thorough and accurate information, and add-

it disappeared off Malaysia’s east coast less than an hour into its March 8 scheduled flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

But investigators have increasingly discounted the possibility of an accident due to the deliberate way it was diverted and had its communications switched off.

Investigative sources told Reuters on Friday they believed the plane was following a commonly used navigational route when it was last spotted early on Saturday, northwest of Malaysia.

Their suspicion has hardened that it was flown off-course by the pilot or co-pilot, or someone else with detailed knowledge of how to fly and navi-

gate a large commercial aircraft.

No details have emerged of any passengers or crew with militant links or psychological problems that could explain a motive for sabotaging the flight.

The experienced captain, Zaharie Ahmad Shah, was a flying enthusiast who spent his off days tinkering with a flight simulator of the plane that he had set up at home, current and former co-workers said. Malaysia Airlines officials did not believe he would have sabotaged the flight.

The 27-year-old co-pilot Fariq Abdul Hamid was religious and serious about his career, family and friends said, countering news reports suggesting he was a cockpit Romeo who was reckless on the job.

TWO ROUTES As the search enters its second week, several governments are using imagery satellites platforms that take high definition photos - while data from private sector communications satellites is also being examined. China alone says it has deployed 10 satellites.

“The area is enormous. Finding anything rapidly is going to be very difficult,” said Marc Pircher, director of the French space centre in Toulouse. “The area and scale of the task is such that 99 percent of what you are getting are false alarms”.

The corridors given by Najib represent a satellite track, which appears as an arc on a map. The plane did not necessarily follow the corridor, but was at some point along its path at the moment the signal was sent.

Officials at Kazakhstan’s state air navigation service were not available for comment while in Turkmenistan, state aviation

officials referred queries to the Foreign Ministry.

Earlier, a source familiar with official U.S. assessments of electronic signals sent to geostationary satellites operated by Britain’s Inmarsat said it appeared most likely the plane turned south over the Indian Ocean, where it would presumably have run out of fuel and crashed into the sea.

If so, just finding the plane let alone recovering the “black box” data and cockpit voice recorders that hold the key to the mystery - would be a huge challenge.

The expanse of the Indian Ocean has an average depth of more than 12,000 feet, or two miles. That’s deeper than the Atlantic, where it took two years to locate wreckage on the seabed from an Air France plane that vanished in 2009 even though floating debris quickly pointed to the crash site.

Any debris would have been widely dispersed by Indian Ocean currents in the week since the plane disappeared.

“We have many radar systems operating in the area, but nothing was picked up,” Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai, Chief of Staff of Andamans and Nicobar Command, told Reuters.

“It is possible that the military radars were switched off as we operate on an as-required basis. So perhaps secondary radars were operating which may not have the required range to detect a flight at an altitude of 35,000 feet.”

The other interpretation was that the aircraft continued to fly to the northwest and headed over Indian territory.

The source said it was believed unlikely the plane flew for any length of time over India because it has strong air defence and radar coverage and that should have allowed authorities there to see the plane and intercept it.

It is extremely rare for a modern passenger aircraft to disappear once it has reached cruising altitude, as MH370 had.

When that does happen, the debris from a crash is usually found close to its last known position relatively quickly.

In this case, there has been no trace of the plane, nor any sign of wreckage.

The maximum range of the Boeing 777-200ER is 7,725 nautical miles or 14,305 km. It is not clear how much fuel the aircraft was carrying though it would have been enough to reach its scheduled destination, Beijing, a flight of five hours and 50 minutes, plus some reserve.

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014 , PAGE 25

Mystery Benue murderers or

herdsmen?

*Fulani attackers are from Nasarawa — Villagers *Claim untrue — Gov. al-Makura *How Gov. Suswan survived siege *Arson, corpses, displaced persons everywhere!

BY PETER DURU, MAKURDI

T

his is not the best of times for the people of Benue State who have been traumatized by attacks from people suspected to be Fulani mercenaries.

From the southern parts of Benue State to the the north-east, the state has suddenly become a threater of war courtesy of the unending bloodbath arising from the incursions by armed mercenaries who camouflage as herdsmen..

The attacks have also left in their trail a huge refugee situation with monumental consequences on the socio-economic life of the people.

More pathetic is the situation in Guma local government area where almost the entire local government area has been taken over by the invaders who allegedly launch their attacks from neighbouring Nasarawa State.

There is no gainsaying that Benue is certainly in a state of war. There is heightened tension across the state and the state government seemed to have been overwhelmed by the situation.

In fact, on Tuesday, Governor Gabriel Suswam got a bitter dose of the crisis when he escaped death by the whiskers after his convoy was ambushed by suspected Fulani mercenaries who engaged his security aides in exchange of gunfire at Tee-Akanyi village in Guma local government area.

This came after the invaders had sacked about 200 villages on the Daudu-Gbajimba axis of the council, killing and beheading no fewer than 30 persons whose corpses littered the communities.

Suswam had, alongside the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Terhile Ayua, the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Adams Audu, soldiers, and other security personnel embarked on an assessment tour of communities recently invaded by the herdsmen on Daudu-Gbajimba

C M Y K

The decision of the soldiers did not deter Suswam who insisted on making the trip to Gbajimba which had been cut off from the rest of the local government by the invaders Road.

On getting to Uikpam-Mbabai, the governor and his entourage discovered that the marauders had attacked and pulled out of the community that very morning, after sacking the police station in the town, burning houses, barns and beheading over 30 persons.

The governor and his team were however taken aback when the military personnel on the tour decided to pull out on the grounds that they were not detailed to travel with the team to Gbajimba.

The decision of the soldiers did not deter Suswam who insisted on making the trip to Gbajimba which had been cut off from the rest of the local government by the invaders.

From that point, majority of those on the entourage were overwhelmed by fear. The truth is that majority of the persons on that trip would have opted out but for the courage of the governor which kept everyone going.

It was while Suswam’s convoy was heading to Umenger village, about 30kilometers from Daudu, that the team discovered that arms wielding herdsmen with thousands of cattle had taken over all villages on that axis, grazing and looting the property of the locals who had deserted their homes.

*Gov. Suswan and his entourage before the attack.

It became clear to the team they could be walking into a trap as the vast land was in complete control of the stern looking young herders.

The entourage ran into attack on Tse-Akenyi village where fire was still raging in several houses in the community, while the attackers continued with the looting of the property of their victims.

However, the entourage did not realize that the marauders had taken cover in some of the abandoned houses and bush and, while Suswam alighted from his car and was busy inspecting the destruction in the community, heavy gunfire came from the bush.

The rat-a-tat of the gunfire came suddenly, but men of the police and those of the Civil Defense Corps around put up a brave response.

Suswam and the Commissioner of Police, Audu, showed uncommon bravery. They stood like battle field commanders and gave orders to security personnel while the gunfire raged.

The exchange of gunfire lasted close to one hour. Suswam was shepherded into his official vehicle by security details when the shooting subsided and the entourage drove straight to Gbajimba, where the governor addressed the locals.

Continues on page 26

PAGE 26 — SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014 ,

Mystery Benue murderers or herdsmen?

Continued from page 25 He lamented the spate of attacks on the people of the state by suspected Fulani herdsmen and assured displaced persons that government would not abandon them.

Meantime, on his way back from the assessment tour, Suswam picked the remains of some beheaded victims to the mortuary in Makurdi, the state capital.

The following day, the governor, accompanied by the state Commissioner of Police, paid a visit to Anyii and Ayilamo in Logo local government which had also been invaded by marauders..

Anyii is Suswan’s home town; the community had been sacked by suspected Fulani mercenaries who invaded the communites after crossing River Benue from Nasarawa State.

Death in farms The invaders slaughtered over 22 persons.

The governor was moved to tears when he saw that his village had been sacked and deserted.

From Anyii to Ayilamo, a stretch of about 25 kilometers, all the inhabitants of the close to 29 village had been sacked by suspected herdsmen who struck less than 24 hours before the governor’s visit.

One of the fleeing locals, who gave his name as James Terzungwe, recounted their experience to Sunday Vanguard.

“They came from Nasarawa State after crossing River Benue which separates the bordering communities of Benue and Nasarawa,” he stated.

“They stormed our communities in their hundreds, when people were already in their farms. That was why many of the people were killed because they were caught up in the farms where it was very difficult for them to escape or jointly defend themselves.

“That attack left over 22 of our people dead. Those are the ones we have seen, many are still missing and nobody knows about their condition because we gathered that so many corpses are still in the farms and the bush near the river, but no one can go near there for now because the Fulani have completely taken over those areas,” he said.

While addressing the displaced persons at Ayilamo, Suswam, who urged them to be security conscious, assured them that government was partnering the Federal Government to ensure that the crisis was brought to an end.

The Governor also promised to establish displaced persons camps in parts of the state to cater for the Internally Displaced Person, IDPs, in areas affected by the crisis.

Meantime, Governor Tanko Al’Makura of Nasarawa State paid a visit to his Benue State counterpart, Suswam, on Thursday, to commisserate with him on the attack. He stated that the invaders couldn’t have come from his state.

Al’Makura stated that though Nasarawa borders Benue, “herdsmen pass through from the South and the North and the natural direction must be Nasarawa.”

The governor went on: “And it is so unfortunate that at the point at which these people are passing, there is a section in Nasarawa that is close to three states.

There is a particular local government in Nasarawa that has boundaries with Plateau, Benue and Taraba and there is a large expanse of land where there is no road.

“So it is not easy or practicable that the movement of these nomads in the wilderness can be monitored except if we have an aerial survellance to track them and know where they are settled.

“And another thing is that we in Nasawara State are not even speared.

We also have our own share of the C M Y K

problem on daily basis. It is not as if we have anything whatsoever to do with the attacks. We are also trying to contain their insurgency in our state.

“That is the reason we must all come together to appreciate the reality of this problem, we must come together to seek ways of ending this crisis.”

In his response, Suswam lamented the manner the herdsmen invade Benue communities with thousands of herds, stressing that the people behind the bloodbath were certainly not herdsmen but terrorists The Benue governor went on: “The kind of weapons these people carry were not ordinary.

The herds of cow I saw on the they I was attacked was unimaginable and the manner of the attack clearly showed that they were terrorists.

“They are displacing our people and occupying their land. I have spoken to the President on the need that those people have to be unsettled from those communities and quickly too.

“My fear is that if they are allowed to continue with these dastardly acts and successfully occupy those villages, they might use those communities as launching pad to destabilize our states.

“My fear also is that this problem could become hydra headed if we do not stand up now and take action; we could all be consumed if our people are not saved and are forced to defend themselves.

‘We are overwhelmed’ “The truth is that the situation we have found

My fear is that this might degenerate to an ethnic crisis because no tribe will sit down and watch while the home of its paramount ruler is sacked and destroyed by heavily armed invaders ourselves in Benue is overwhelming, the security personnel have also been overwhelmed by the situation, emotions are running high and their is heightened tension in our state.

“On our part as a government, i have spent so much money on security issues since I assumed office, I have held meetings with the Sultan of Sokoto and everybody that matters. I have done everything humanly possible but it seems we are not making progress.

“Children have been chased out of schools while many have lost one or both of their parents in these unwarranted senseless attacks.

“My fear is that this might degenerate to an ethnic crisis because no tribe will sit down and watch while the home of its paramount ruler is sacked and destroyed by heavily armed invaders.

“That is why I am pleading with the Federal Government to step into this matter before the situation gets out of hand because there is palpable tension everywhere after this last attack.

“We cannot allow the people to take up arms to defend themselves because if that is done we will be faced with a terrible situation where

*Refugees in their own land arms will be everywhere and we will be faced with a more serious and dangerous problem.

“We certainly need the assistance of the military because those doing these are heavily armed, and they ave no respect for human life.”

Meanwhile, the Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba More, who also visited Suswam, condemned the attack on him, describing it as barbaric and callous.

“The obvious intention of the criminals and unpatriotic elements and forces behind the dastardly attack is to create unnecessary tension in the land ahead of the 2015 general elections as well as set back the progress the President Jonathan- led government has recorded in the fight against terrorism and all forms of violence across the country “, the minister said.

In his reaction to the killings, a university don, whose home town, Ahentse village of Nzorov ward, was sacked, Dr. Frank Kyungun, lamented that the Federal Government has not done enough to protect the lives and property of the people of Benue State.

Conspiracy “This is a clear conspiracy against the Tiv nation. The story would have been different today if Governor Suswam were killed in that attack, perhaps the crisis would have snowballed to something else,” he stated.

Sunday Vanguard gathered that the invasion of Tiv communities by Fulani herdsmen dates back to 1989 when the then paramount ruler of Nzorov, Chief Iordye Akaahena, was killed by the herdsmen after which a heavy bloodbath erupted.

This lasted for two years; then the crisis was resolved and the Fulani were allowed to return to Nzorov in Gume local government to settle and graze.

After the return of the herders, the natives lived with them in Guma communities until three years ago when the herders launched a fresh attack on Akor village in Nzorov Ward where1 7 persons were killed and the village razed.

Same day, Tse-Ormeagh, Tse-Kondom, TomAyin and Iyordye were burnt down by rampaging herdsmen.

After the attack, the village was deserted as the natives fled to Gbajimba, the headquarters of the council, for safety.

Days after, the mercenaries stor med Akoroko, Ahentse village and the entire Nzorov ward, the home town of the Minister of State Trade and Investment and Supervising Minister of Aviation, Chief Samuel Ortom, which was sacked and occupied by the marauders.

From that point, the entire Guma local government came under siege.

The invaders established their attack base at Nzorov from where it attacked the Ihiarev part of Guma and Gwer West local government areas of the state.

Then, they stormed the village of the paramount ruler of Tiv land, HRH Ochivere Alfred Akawe Torkula..

The attack, reportedly carried out by over 700 Fulani mercenaries, left over 40 persons dead while three villages, including, Tse-Torkula, Angyom and Tse-Usenda all in Guma local government area of the state were sacked.

The attackers proceeded to Kasyo and Umenge towns same day and razed them. The next target was Daudu along MakurdiLafia Road sacking the communities leaving a huge refugee camp in Guma.

Sacking police barracks Communities in Makurdi local government area were not spared by the invaders.

Adeke and Adaka on the outskirts of the towns were invaded by arms wielding mercenaries who sacked the communities which houses the Mobile Police Barracks.

Before these attacks, Agatu and Gwer West local governments were killing fields where attackers sent the natives packing after killing over 126 farmers and occupying their farmlands and homes.

Only recently, displaced persons settlement camps were set up for over 15,000 persons in neigbouring Kogi state after coordinated attacks on Agatu and Gwer West local government areas.

Kwande local government was also not spared,; it was gathered that over 25 perons were killed in that axis by Fulani mercenaries who invaded Jato Aka from Kashimbila, a community bordering Cameroon In the last one week, Makurdi has witnessed the influx of over 50,000 displaced persons who fled bloody clashes in communities in Guma local government area.

There is no gainsaying that the unending tale of the invasion of Benue communities by suspected Fulani mercenaries have become an albatross of some sort that needs the urgent intervention of government.

The crisis has reached a boiling point. If the Federal Government fails to intervene and quickly too, the people might be forced to take up arms to defend themselves. This could snowball to ethnic crisis capable of sparking off the mother of bloodbath in Benue.

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014 , PAGE 27

attacks; all these things emboldened them and we are saying our security agencies are not properly armed like the Boko Haram. We want the world to know that government has not equipped the military as being claimed.

Are you in essence saying that the committee set up to negotiate with Boko Haram did not achieve anything?

It failed woefully, it achieved nothing and it was not intended to achieve anything, it was just to satisfy a certain section of the country while my own people were being killed.

Before the dialogue committee went to Maiduguri, all the detainees in detention of government were killed and that was immediately after the state of emergency was imposed.

While state of emergency was being imposed, they said about 20 local governments were in the hands of Boko Haram, today up to that 20 are still in the hands of Boko Haram although they have not hoisted their flags. At least in the local governments, there is still no school, no judiciary, no local government administration, no market.

*Senator Ahmad Zannah Khalifa

My Boko Haram Story,

by Senator Khalifa ‘How insurgents recruit locals with monetary inducement’ Says a lot more people killed than officially reported Speaks on the Cameroon connection ‘We need Sierra Leone solution’

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU Senator Ahmad Zannah Khalifa represents Borno Central Senatorial District in the Senate.

In this interview, he tells the story of Boko Haram from his own perspective, saying over 100, 000 people have died as a result of the insurgency in his state and accuses government of complicity on the killings. Excerpts: There have been sustained attacks by Boko Haram in Borno State. Does it mean security agencies cannot curtail the situation?

It is very pathetic and disturbing that a nation like Nigeria is not able to contain a small insurgency by Boko Haram, and my people are very disappointed. I don’t know the reason behind the lacklustre attitude of the military.

Can we know the level of casualty in the state as a result of the insurgency?

The dead are over a thousand within the last one month because deaths in Bama alone is about a hundred, Kauri is about 200, there is also Gulumba area which has never been reported in the media C M Y K

because that place has not been accessed. Boko Haram attacked and burnt up to 20 villages in that area because of lack of security coverage, nobody has been able to go there to see what happened but survivors who escaped to Bama and Maiduguri reported to us that at least 300 people had been killed and almost 20 villages razed.

What do you think are responsible for these attacks?

Since the imposition of state of emergency, the people of Borno, particularly the youth, have volunteered themselves and sent the Boko Haram insurgents into the bush and, while they are in the bush, that is the place where the military is supposed to go in and wipe them out but there has never been a time when the military went after them. So, the insurgents had ample time to regroup and, at the same time, recruit from surrounding villages, take people by force, train them and, after some time, these recruits become part of the insurgency. They give each recruit between N50, 000 and N100, 000 which he may never get all his life. For this reason, the number of Boko Haram insurgents in Borno has multiplied to a level one cannot understand; sometimes they may attack a village with about 400, 500 insurgents; they may attack two

We have been talking to the boys, but, unfortunately, government has been playing double standard. They will say they want to go into negotiation (with Boko Haram), at the same time, they will be attacking the boys, if there is negotiation taking place, there is bound to be a cease fire but it has never been so different locations at the same time which means their number has really swollen to a level that has overwhelmed the army.

With is the level of your confidence in the armed forces and why has this taken so long for northern elders to speak to the insurgents to sheathe their sword? It is only now the governors from the North are begging them that enough is enough.

We have been talking to the boys, but, unfortunately, government has been playing a double standard.

They will say they want to go into negotiation (with Boko Haram), at the same time, they will be attacking the boys, if there is negotiation taking place, there is bound to a

cease fire but it has never been so.

They are talking about negotiation just for the sake of it; they don’t have the intention and this has infuriated the boys in such a way that they don’t have confidence that the government will negotiate with them and give them amnesty. So it is better for them to die fighting. I think this is the notion they have and eventually they found out that the military is incapable or unwilling to eliminate them; that unwillingness emboldened them to come and attack even where there is a military barrack. You can take the example of the Maiduguri airport, the Bama barrack and the Mongono barrack

The claim of lacklustre attitude by the military, can it be traced to the condemnation the military received when they attacked Boko Haram in Baga?

Before the Baga Incident, the military were having a free day killing innocent people in the cities.

My fellow senator told me he counted 228 fresh graves at that time, people were being killed by the military not just insurgents. It was alleged that it was as a result of fighting between the insurgents and the military. Some insurgents were said to have come in and killed one army officer who was allegedly selling alcohol in a beer parlour abandoned by a fleeing resident. The insurgents from another village killed the army, burnt the house and went away. That happened around 7:30pm, around 10:30pm the military descended on the people. All the killings that have taken place, we have lost almost 100, 000 people.

Official killings seem to be more than the number slain during Boko Haram attacks When you hear comments like security agents are the ones carrying out attacks to ensure that the North East is not safe so that elections would not be held in those areas in 2015, does it mean anything to you?

That is what I am saying that we are investigating, we are not sure of that. At the right time we will be able to expose them if there is any complicity.

There is also the claim that your life is under threat. What kind of threat are you facing?

My house was raided over one year ago; they said I was sheltering a Boko Haram commander. The man was not found in my house but in somebody else residence. In spite of that, the military came out to say the man was found in my house. There are other instances. I was warned by one top security personnel that I was under watch.

Have you reported your case to the president?

How do I have access to Mr. President? As a sitting senator from an area in national crisis, he is the one who is supposed to look for me; all the attempts I made were not successful and he didn’t look for me.

Is that why you have been absent from your constituency for some

Continues on page 28

PAGE 28— SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014 ,

Continued from page 27 time?

My life was under threat, so I stayed away until now that the things are getting out of hand, I had to go to the authorities to give me security coverage so that I will go and come back safely.

How do your constituents cope with your absence?

My constituents understand what I am going through and I stood by them all these while. I told them it was not necessary I should be there and that I am taking all the necessary steps in order to protect them; my physical presence is not all that important.

How do you substantiate the alleged involvement of former GovernorAli Modi Sheriff in the Boko Haram stuff?

I really don’t know anything but the first allegation was that when he was vying for governor in 2003, he went into alliance with some people who supported him and he promised he was going to implement Sharia and when he could not implement Sharia, they fell apart. In 2005 or 2006, he was said to have claimed they were a threat to his administration or whatever, so he formed a security body called Operation Flush. That is said to be the genesis of the whole misunderstanding and insecurity in the state. And when the state of emergency was imposed and the

Chief Mathias Ewariakpo Ujuri Otobo is the Chairman of Michel International Group of Companies; a former accountant with Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and the first African Commercial Manager of German Bilfinger Oil and Gas Nigeria Plc. A philanthropist and an employer of labour across the Niger-Delta, he speaks on the Isoko Development Union election and other issues. Excerpts:

My Boko Haram Story, How do I h a v e access to Mr. President? As a sitting senator from an area in national crisis, he is the one who is supposed to look for me; all the attempts I made were not successful and he didn’t look for me vigilante or what you can call the Civilian JTF were able to fish out Boko Haram elements within them and sent them into the bush, those they caught were handed them over to security agencies. When the security situation had calmed, Sheriff wanted to go to Maiduguri in order to start his campaign but the Civilian JTF now said ‘no, you

C M Y K

have created insecurity in the state, we don’t want you to be in Maiduguri’.

We have been told Boko Haram has external connections, that some of the group’s leaders are based in Cameroon and are Cameroonians.

Are you looking at the possibility government should seek extradition of the suspects?

What is your formula for resolving this insurgency in the North East?

Nigeria will not disintegrate — Otobo *‘Isoko are entitled to Delta governorship in 2015’ ko people can prepare for the 2015 general elections?

The Isoko people have been neglected in the past because we are the minority. But the truth is that our votes determine who rules Delta State. People feel we are not good enough for the governorship race. Come 2015, we are not going to play the siddon look role.

I believe the oracles have spoken and we are ready to take the bull by the horn. Before now, during elections, people come and say their grandfather or mother

W

HAT is your view on the recent IDU elec tions?

It is the best election the Isoko people has ever had. The emergence of General Paul Omo [rtd] can be described as putting a round peg in a round hole.

What is your expectation for the IDU executives and what words of advice do you have for them?

I strongly advice them to swing into action immediately. They should see to it that the Isoko House is completed before the 2015 general elections. They should discuss with Kingsley Kuku, the Amnesty Programme boss, and fashion a way to bring into the program the teeming youths of Isoko, who out of distrust, initially refused to join the program. As the mother body of the Isoko people, Isoko Development Union should, as a matter of urgency, mediate between warring parties in the Isoko Youth National Movement. As leaders of tomorrow, our youths should learn not to wash their dirty linen in the public. This is a crucial time in Isoko land, our people should speak with one voice. Isoko people, home and abroad, should see this as a golden opportunity to lay a solid foundation and reclaim our lost glory by supporting our President General.

What is your take on the PDP crisis?

It is unfortunate. But as the biggest party in Africa, it is expected.

The exit of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur as the party chairman came af-

*Senator Khalifa

They are not Cameroonians; there are very few Cameroonians in Boko Haram if there is any. Most of them are Nigerians; they went into Cameroon and they were given free access as a result of an agreement between Nigeria, the Cameroonian government, the Chadian government, the Nigerien government and the French government when five French people were kidnapped to aid their release.

So the insurgents can go into Cameroon, come to Nigeria and attack and go back to Cameroon after the attack. But of recent, Cameroon has sent them away. Even recently, one of my in-laws was staying in Cameroon and a Boko Haram leader came and said ‘since you are learned in Islam, come and teach in our camp’. He refused consequent upon which the Boko Hara people arrested him and took him into Nigeria. Two days after, they arrested two of his boys, and later picked his wife and one of her sisters.

So my in-law tricked them into releasing him and those arrested with him by telling them he needed to collect money from those owing him and that he would return to them. This is the level of involvement of Cameroon.

The Northern Elders Group led by Professor Ango Abdullahi has called for the prosecution of the former army chief at the Hague and are you in PDP or the APC? I am a PDP senator and I am still in PDP, I haven’t defected. The threat that Gen. Ihejirika will be taken to the Hague, we are still gathering our evidence. At the appropriate time, you will know and the way out of the problem of Boko Haram, but I want government to be serious. If the President is being misled by certain people, now let him wake up, let him be serious on the matter because this involves human life, you cannot play politics with human life. He became President without drawing a single drop of blood. This is playing with God’s favour and God will not favour that.

And number two, if the army is demoralized, afraid of Boko Haram, I want them to engage our young men who are willing to die in order to save their people. Even now they follow the military into the bush sometimes wearing bathroom slippers, and without any protective wear. If you give them 30 days training, just 1,000 of them, let them go with the military, they will wipe out Boko Haram within a month. I have confidence in my constituency, let government give us the benefit of doubt; this is what happened in Sierra Leone.

You know Sierra Leonean rebels were cutting the arms of our soldiers, killing them when we went to restore peace in that country. But by involving the locals, giving them arms and training them, they were able to defeat the terrorists.

Chief Mathias Otobo ter serious damages had been inflicted on the party. It is also unfortunate that the misunderstanding between the President and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo became a matter of public debate.

Their relationship is like that of husband and wife; it should never have been a matter for the public. South-south people owe a debt of gratitude to the former President for the fatherly role he played in the emergence of Dr Goodluck Jonathan as President.

Where were those people now attacking Obasanjo when he was campaigning for Jonathan?

Where were they when Obasanjo fought Atiku and IBB over Jonathan? The issues between Jonathan and Obasanjo should be resolved by the President without a mediator. We in the South-south respect our elders and the age difference between them is like that of a son and a father. So I advise the President to go to Ota Farm to resolve the issues with Obasanjo.

How best do you think the Iso-

The unity of Nigeria is not negotiable. If Nigeria must divide, it must be done in a civilized manner that it may then become the United States of Nigeria. Population or size is not the problem is from Isoko just to win our votes, we cannot be considering grandfathers when the children are not satisfied. Enough of that.

Can Isoko produce the next governor of Delta State?

Yes. We are a very calm people, that is why you hardly see unrest in any of our towns and villages.

It is not as if we cannot make trouble and take our stand, but we want to to do it legally. The Isoko

are well respected in Delta State; the Isoko of yesterday are not the Isoko of today. Financially, morally, physically, mentally, we have qualified men who will soon declare their intentions to run for the seat of the governor of Delta State. I believe it’s time for Delta people to pay us back for the support they have received from us all the while. We have never produced the deputy governor, a minister, an ambassador, nothing.

We have people who are academically sound, financially buoyant and have experience when it comes to governance. I am surprised that our respected Secretary to Delta State Government is being challenged; insulted by people who outside politics are nothing simply because he said there was no zoning on who becomes the next governor of Delta State.

During the era of former Governor Ibori, people from various ethnic groups came up and declared their intentions to contest for seat of the governor. The same thing happened during Uduaghan’s and Ibru’s eras. Now that an Isoko man has not even declared, they are crying foul.

If they have a credible candidate, let them name him and come to the field. The Isoko are consulting and when the oracles speak at dawn on whom the cap fits as the next governor of Delta State, the moving train will commence its unstoppable journey What is your opinion on the suspicion/fear that Nigeria might disintegrate come 2015?

Definitely Nigeria will remain one. About 50 percent of the current population of Nigeria wit-

nessed the civil war; today we are also seeing what is happening in Syria, Sudan, Egypt, Central African Republic, and Libya; so nobody wants Nigeria to experience that. The unity of Nigeria is not negotiable. If Nigeria must divide, it must be done in a civilized manner that it may then become the United States of Nigeria. Population or size is not the problem.

Nigeria’s population is about one tenth of India yet Indians live together as a country and relatively peacefully compared to Nigeria.

Nigerians have inter-married, so no one wants to throw stones into the market. Even Boko Haram is not a threat to the unity of this country.

What is your opinion on the National Conference?

The President is practising democracy. From the death of former President Yar’Adua, it became clear that there is a lacuna in our Constitution. Those who drafted our Constitution erred in some areas and the National Conference will address such matters; so it’s a welcome development.

The pedigree of people selected to organize the conference is evidence that it will be the best thing that has ever happened to this country. Those who are envisaging crisis on the National Conference who do not want progress for this country will be put to shame. And I believe that the National Conference will bring an end to the issues of self-help by religious and ethnic groups in Nigeria because by the time things are spelt out clearly, nobody will have any reason to carry arms against the government

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014, PAGE 29

C M Y K

PAGE 30 — SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014

C M Y K

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014, PAGE 31

C M Y K

PAGE 32 — SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014 ,

herdsmen?

CC MM YY KK

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014, PAGE 33

PAGE 34 — SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014

C M Y K

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014, PAGE 35

C M Y K

PAGE 36 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 16, 2014

Day my boobs embarrassed me

bb pin: 75E17ABC

— Sarraphina

S

I never dated Mikel Obi – Cossy Orjiakor

N

OLLYWOOD diva, Cossy Orjiakor, is no stranger to controversies. In fact, the life of the boobs-flaunting actress and singer has been an open book people continue to read with varying interpretations. At work or play; there’s always something about Commotion Cossy to elicit reactions which, oftentimes, are negative.

True, no married woman would want the busty artiste within a glancing distance of their husbands, even though the husbands wouldn’t mind sticking their necks out to avail themselves of the rather luscious bounty Cossy offers.

The actress has been linked with various romantic relations, without anyone really coming out to say who and who has seen beyond the mammary extravaganza with which Cossy entrances her hapless male audience.

And Cossy has told anyone who cared to listen that she has never been had in the showbiz world.

But that has not stopped another viral tale being set adrift by a soft sell magazine recently, that the singer has the hots for Chelsea ace, Mikel Obi. “I still want Mikel Obi”, the headline screams.

•Cossy Orjiakor But Cossy in a phone chat with Yours Truly, declared that she has never met or dated the footballer. “ I don’t know why journalists cook up all sorts of stories just to sell their papers. The journalist who reported the story came to me and asked me, if I know Nigerian footballers playing in Europe and I mentioned names I know, including that of Mikel Obi. How that translates to my dating him or wanting me, is what I don’t understand. I have never even met the guy before in my life” she told me.

When I love, it’s fierce

I am in showbiz to help people – Lizzy Gold

B

C M Y K

the acting, that’s fine. But as for me,I can never go nude. If you insist that I must act nude, then you have to use a body double” she stated, matter-of-fact.

She also confirmed to me that men find her boobs irresistible objects of admiration and even share an experience where her boobs caused a stir. “The breasts are becoming more and more aggressive by the day” she said giggly “one fateful day I was travelling, just at the airport, as I just bent down to open my bag, my breasts fell out like bombs. I was so embarrassed but then that is part of me and I am proud of it”

•Sarraphina

— Uche Iwuanyanwu UDDING Nollywood actress, Uche Iwuanyanwu, is rising fast and furious. Demands for the skill of the beautiful graduate of economics of University of Jos do not end in Nollywood; her tentacles are being spread across Africa. Recently, she shot a film in Ghana entiitled, ‘Cheaters,’ alongside the likes of Jackie Appiah.

She is scandal-free and nothing is known of her relationships, and she once told me in a chat she could never marry a man for his money. To Uche, love matters most, and she doesn’t hide her feelings about it as she openly declared on Instagram “ I don’t love casually. When I love, it’s fierce. It’s my soul ripped wide open and raw.

It’s my whole heart on display. It’s all I have and everything I know, handed over to you, like a gift, and I hope you unwrap it gently”.

It gets one wondering who Uche may be passing the message to, but it does explain why Uche hasn’t been easy to get.

exy and voluptuous actress, Sarraphina Onyekachi Amaechi, a public administration graduate of Federal Polytechnic, Nekede,Imo State, has come a long way in the movie industry. The busty, ebony beauty is respected and appreciated for her talent.

Her rise to prominence did not come as a result of her taking the elevator- she took the stairs, savouring every bit of pain and gain along the way.

She isn’t shy, she has seen too much of the world to be, and she would tell you that her selling point is her huge bubbly boobs but also will be quick to remind you that it was her talent that saw her this far in the industry rather than the captivating mammary.

She is a consummate actress that would take up different roles and blend with it like she was born to be that character, even doing things many of her peers wouldn’t dare. “ It’s not about the money but more about telling the story as it were”, she said, when I asked her if she could go nude in a movie for a large sum of money. “I can act in a porn movie but I can never go nude myself. If I have to act with somebody and they use a body double to do

F

•Uche Iwuanyanwu

ast-rising actress and former Miss Delta State, Lizzy Gold Onuwaje, started what turned out to be an uproar of sort last Sunday when she declared in an interview with Potpourri that she loves money so much, bank alerts turn her on.

The actress, who is currently on top of game, is as blunt and honest as few actors would ever dare.

To the world, the actress is a money-loving young woman, who would not have people of less fortunate circumstances near her.

But looking at Lizzy’s profile and some of the things she has done, one would appreciate that the actress is only being sincere and that sincerity •Lizzy Gold has beneath it, a kind and

humane nature.

In fact, she has an NGO with the sole aim of helping indigent students.

Recently, she organised an event attended by some of her colleagues like Melvin Odua of Big Brother Africa and the winner at that event received a scholarship to any Nigerian university of his choice.

“My mission in life is to be a successful actress, with money and fame, so that I can help other less fortunate people.

My NGO is established as a platform to empower youths generally”, she said.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 16, 2014, PAGE 37

bb pin: 75E17ABC

body has another opinion about it, no problem, they should keep it to themselves .Opinions cannot pay my bills. the last time I checked, I cannot put someone’s opinion into an ATM machine and it will turn into money that I will use to feed myself and my family.

The media was set alight last week with a suspicious photo of Nollywood actress, Biola Ige, and actor, Muna Obiekwe, seemingly smooching, with the actor kissing her boobs. Within minutes of the picture being posted, it went viral, almost like an orchestrated campaign against the beautiful actress who is just finding her feet again in the industry after a long absence.

Biola has said time and time again, that there is a conspiracy against her and it seems that conspiracy has come home to play a big prank on her career. According to Biola, people couldn’t be more wrong, as she is unperturbed by the picture. She talked with me on the matter and here is our conversation. Excerpts:

But the picture that is all over the internet- did you engage in the act?

I didn’t do it, that is why I have been saying people need to go and see the movie. If you see that scene in the movie, call me and judge me and even do whatever you like when you see me. Don’t say anything until you watch the movie.

They are making it look as if it’s a fresh movie that we just shot.

T

his picture about you and Muna Obiekwe smooching obscenely: is it a clip from a movie or what?

That picture is not part of the production I was involved in, with Muna, and if people want to confirm, they should go and watch the movie. The name of the movie is ‘Desperate Hawkers’.That movie came out two years ago, and, at that time, I was still battling with the thyroid I had .There was a defect in my eyes too.One of my eyes was bigger than the other .I will just like people to go and watch the movie and let me know their opinions and what they think of the movie.

How did that picture come about, because both of you were pictured smooching?

All I know is that there was nothing like that, nobody in his right senses will do that in front of the cameras .I just want people to go and watch the movie ‘Desperate Hawkers’ and if they see something like that in the movie, then, they can judge me and label me anything they wish.

So, are you saying the picture is a product of photoshop or what?

Yes, that is what I think it is, because what I know is that, I shot that movie two years ago, and I and Muna didn’t do anything like that. It must have been photoshopped.

I shot that movie two years ago, and I and Muna didn’t do anything like that. It must have been photoshopped.

Even though you claimed not to have done what the picture portrayed, can you do something similar to that in a movie?

Not something like somebody sucking my nipple, but I can definitely come out of the room cupping my breasts in my hands and deliver my lines and do my work and go in.

X-rated picture with

Muna Obiekwe:

What part did you play in the movie ‘Pregnant Hawkers’?

My character was that of a poor girl who grew up in the slum. She hawks for a living and had to make ends meet by sleeping with men and then she finally got this rich man (Muna) sleeping with her and she was getting money from him in order to take care of her family. That is the role I played in the movie. As an actress, I can go all out to play a role come and judge me later. because that is what I do for a Why do you think anyone living. I just want people to will love to circulate such a understand that, if you are thing? praying for a change in I am the kind of actress Nollywood , you need to people tell I am not good at take it to another level what I do but I believe in .Hollywood didn’t get to myself and I know that I am where it is today by shying good. I interpret my roles the away from interpreting roles way others don’t . It is safe as the script says. This same for me to say that my acting is set of people say Nigerian not for the Nigerian market movies are crap and they see really, it is for the people someone who is trying to do who are exposed in life and her job and they go all out to willing to accept change. I am complain. The difference very different. If the script here, is the issue of nudity says you should make love, I and people saying that this am ready to make it as real as person was sucking my possible. nipple.This is the truth about In the number of years that it, they should go and watch I have been acting, a lot of the movie, then, they can my colleagues are not happy

See the film and judge me — Biola Ige

C M Y K

.Why? Just because you cannot do something, does not mean another person cannot do it. Now, for this picture to have gotten out, I know it’s somebody, somewhere, trying to sabotage my image. They know that I have been out of the scene for some years, and they know that I am ready to come back on the scene. This is their own way of saying, ‘go back to where you are coming from, we don’t want you’ .It’s like a threat to whoever released this picture and I don’t care.

From what you are saying, you are the kind of actress that can take up sex

scenes….?

Of course, this is an art, I am an actress. I am born to act. If it’s not in you, you can’t go all out to do it.

Angelina Jolie cannot be an actress if the fire isn’t in her.

The Nigerian mentality is hypocritical. We condemn Western values and still copy them. If you are ready to copy the Western world, why don’t you go all out? Why are you pretending to be an actor if you cannot go all out to do your job? This is what you are being paid for, a way to make ends meet .Why can’t you do anything for your job; why are we always pretending? I, Biola Ige, can do anything for the arts, for my job. If any-

What you are saying is that you can do a bit of nudity without having sex on set?

Of course, I can.

It’s my job. What I want people to understand is

that acting is about impersonating somebody else’s character. In order to play that character you have to bear in mind that you are no longer yourself, and you have to do the extraordinary in order to be able to bring the character to life. The problem we have in Nigeria is that once you do that, people will start saying you are wayward, forgetting the fact that this person is just showing you a picture of a non existent character. That is why I am not taking this whole picture thing too hard.

I don’t even care. It’s already out .What they are doing now is to promote the movie for the producer.

PAGE 38—SUNDAY

Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014

Be the lover your partner desires

By Yetunde Arebi

H

i,

Being a good lover is a challenge because not all of us are born with the gift of being able to please people easily. But when it comes to dealing with someone we profess to love, it is important and absolutely necessary that we must put in some effort. This conscious effort when performed over time becomes a habit and can only win you points from your lover.

Being a good lover does not mean that you need to shower your partner with gifts and make them feel like royalty, or hero worship them, bending over backwards just to please them. In fact, it is much simpler than you think. Let’s go through these few simple tips and you’ll soon have your partner purring all over you.

Love yourself first: To be a good lover, you must be able to love yourself first. After all, how can you truly know how to treat a partner well if you do not know how to treat yourself right? It is said that charity begins from home. Find out more about yourself and determine your strengths so you can build on them. This can help you build self-esteem and improve self-confidence, which in turn can make your partner more attracted and comfortable with you. These will help you determine what you want from a relationship and how to identify those signs when you see them in a potential partner.

Learn the art of flirting: Flirting does not only happen in the early stage where you are trying to attract your partner. In

fact, if you want to keep your relationship healthy, you should also continue flirting with your partner once in a while. Flirting gives a sense of intimacy, intrigue and suspense at the same time, adding spice to your love life. This keeps things fun and spontaneous between the two of you. Try never to feel embarrassed to get

ference between listening and hearing. Don’t take random calls, watch TV or scroll through your Ipad, these might sometimes be very irritating.

Try to notice the small things about them by watching them closely. With time, you’ll discover that they have certain habits and ticks that you will

Keep love alive, be attentive to each other's needs and invest in quality, romantic moments intimate with your partner.

Pay attention to your partner: Once you fix time to be together, the person to whom you intend to show affection must become your single point of attention.

You must be able to make them feel like they are the only person in the world at that moment.

Always be attentive to what they are saying, there is a dif-

come to adore about them.

This discovery may even come in handy when getting them gifts because it helps to define their personality.

Most people only get to know these things after a long time in their relationships but if you start early, you will start feeling closer to each other quicker.

Explore your partner: This is 07037074695, 08136627922 •Faith, 24, needs a nice and matured man, for financial support.07065225188 •T.baby, sexy, hot and intelligent needs a working class man who will take care of me and for a serious relationship.07087524899 •Beauty, 24, a law student, slim, sexy eyes, model figure, big boobs, perfect waist and broad hips and good manners need an older man aged 45 and above for a good lasting relationship.08097174578 •Nick, 31, fair, sexy and educated with a high sense of humour and decency nees a responsible man aged 50 and above for a lasting union.08052420758 •Oma, 24, a student, needs a God fearing, handsome, employed, a graduate, sincere and caring guy, for a serious relationship, that will lead to marriage, aged 29-43, BB Pin 2353100, 08133266924

a must if you want to be a good lover. Never forget that when things get intimate, this is the canvass you want to work on.

After all, you must know where and how your partner wants to be touched. People are sensitive in all sorts of places and to all sorts of degrees.

A friend recently told me that she just discovered she could get so erotic from a simple foot massage. You too may find that your partner goes nuts if you kiss them on the back of their knee or nape of the neck. You’ll never know until you try!

Learn to be a super kisser: This is a must, since all forms of intimacy begins from, evolves around and ends with this simple action. Being a great kisser is very important. It may earn you points and land you in places you’d probably thought might be difficult to get to faster than you imagined.

Just as it can be a real turn off, making you wonder where you went wrong even before getting started. Learn how to enjoy your upper lips as a couple. Lick, nip, bite, suck and chew if possible.

However, always remember that the more gentle you are, the more sensuous your kisses.

Spark up the romance: This may get you to your final destination faster than you imagined possible. When you master the art, it can only keep your partner coming back again and again for those special and sensuous moments.

Guys should learn to kiss and give pleasure without expecting or demanding to end it with sex. It makes a woman feel comfortable that she can trust you to take care of her and protect her. Go dancing. Invest in good music and you can even have your own special favourite love song. I love

•Pius, employed and resides in Lagos, needs a God fearing lady, to be his wife. 0805394267, 0803371324 •Emeka 26 years, needs a sexuNetworking/ Sponsorship ally starved lady in Lagos, aged •Thompson, honest, hardwork- Lovers 30-45 on 07083109899 ing and purposeful, .from Be•Toochukwu, 21, resides in Annin, needs well meaning Nige- Searching Female ambra state, needs a faithful and •Tare, 26, resides in Lagos, rians, who can be his God Fatrust worthy lady, for serious ther or Mother and can spon- needs a God fearing, handdating.08064713019 some, tall and chocolate man, sor his education. 08167979179 •Jude, 40, employed and resides for a serious relationship, which in Delta state, needs a will lead to marriage, aged Links woman,aged 30-40.

33and above. 07035528964 •Someone, wants to link up 081095588409 •Ng, from Delta state, needs a with his old school mates, Tai- God fearing man, for a serious •Collins, tall, fair in complexion, wo and Idowu Akinmoladun, relationship, that will to lead to from Enugu, but resides in DelDehinde Delana, Ayomide Fasta state, needs a lady, for a conmarriage. 07016 921092or uan and Elufowoju Olanrenwa- 08112304945, 07032943325 fidential and serious relationju.08089528396 ship.07034897917 •Lilian, 26, light, beautiful, sexy •Olu, 35, from Ogun state, and endowed with great curves Friends needs a God fearing and finanwants a mature man aged 35 cially stable lady to assist him Searching Males and above for a relationfinancially, in his music.

•Obinna, 19 and a student, ship.09036551409 08072598866 needs rich female friends, who •Naomi, 26, sexy and busty, •Micky, 31, resides in Delta either fat or slim. 07067991423 needs a man for a relastate, needs a brilliant and God •A guy, needs a beautiful fe- tionbship.08066396534 fearing lady, aged 23-25, for a male friend, in Warri. •A single mother, 45, needs a serious relationship, that will 07067489372 mature God fearing man for lead to marriage. 07035056636 •Martin, a graduate, from War- marriage, aged 55 and above. Searching Male •Colen, 20, a student, resides in Abuja, needs a good lady, aged 16 and above, that can take good Dear readers, please note that we neither operate, nor are we an affiliate of any match–making agency in care of him. 08169371145, or outside the country. Any reader who transacts business with any one claiming to be our agent does 08071878096 so at his/her own risk. Our mission is only to provide a platform for social networking.

•Chuks, fun loving, needs a Also note that neither Vanguard, nor Yetunde Arebi will be liable for any error in the publication of lady, aged 16-20, who resides in requests which may result in any form of embarrassment to any member of the public. We therefore Benin, for a serious relationrequest that text must be sent through at least one of the numbers for contact. This notice is necessary to ship.07013609515, 08162574608, enable us serve you better in our refreshingly different style. You can send your requests to 33055. For 08150773492 •Adeyimi, 40, a businessman, in enquiries, text or call 08026651636 ri, Delta state, needs a female friend.08111028606 •A guy, needs a female friend aged 16 and above, either in Warri or PH.08067422366

DISCLAIMER!

“Endless love” by Celine Dion and Micheal Bolton.

Exchange gifts for special dates and just for the fun of it. It shows that you appreciate your partner. Remember, gifts don’t have to be expensive, just as they must not be ridiculous.

Always let your partner know that you desire them with your action and not just words. And if you are intimate, don’t let it become a routine.

Making it a routine takes away a lot of the romance and enjoyment, so choose a different location, position or even time of day as often as possible.

Never use intimacy as weapon: This is very cruel and women are usually the culprits in this game.

Never use your intimate relationship as a weapon in arguments. Never negotiate intimacy for rewards or benefits with someone you claim to be in a loving relationship with.

Leave that for your boss for your next promotion! (just kidding). Guys often use sex as a weapon to teach a lesson, even scores or let a woman know that he can always seek his pleasures elsewhere, among other reason.

Whichever way, this is definitely a no, no, in a loving relationship.

And don’t promise sex and not deliver. Using sex as a weapon will hurt both parties in a long term relationship as it will teach you to associate sex with negative emotions and disappointment.

Please note: For further discussions, consultation and answers to your burning questions on relationships and intimacy, you may reach me via the e-mail address above. Cheers!

Lagos, needs a serious lady, aged 27-42, for a serious relationship.08084285566 •Ayodeji, needs a responsible and matured lady, for a serious relationship, age, religion or ethnic background is not a barier.08033367907 •Chukwunyelu, 27, resides in Lagos, needs a fat lady, aged 25-35.08187972509 •A company driver who reside in Benin needs a good and financially endowed lady, to be his wife.08063536684 •Goodluck, 28, employed and resides in Lagos, needs a lady in Lagos, for a serious relationship.08111115140 •Jerry, 23, needs a chocolate or fair in complexion and romantic lady, for a serious relationship in Delta or Benin.

08069200324 •Ephraim, 47, loves traveling and cooking, needs a good lady, for a serious relationship, that will lead to marriage.

08025406850 •Williams, 5.5 ft tall, chocolate in complexion, good looking, a graduate and self employed, needs a lady, aged 25-40, from Delta state for a serious relationship. 08187003624 •Derek, from Benin, Edo state, needs a good lady, who is honest and decent, for a serious relationship. 08035269603 •Tony, 39, employed and needs a busty, sexy, caring and employed lady, aged 37-50 for a serious relationship that can

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014, PAGE 39

lead to marriage. 08035475200 •David, 48, needs a sexy, busty and rich divorcee or a widow for a relationship. 08151771491 •Douglas, 26, a student and resides in Delta state, needs a beautiful and caring lady, from Delta state, for a serious relationship.08174292201 •Jerry, smart and cool, needs a caring and comfortable single lady in Lagos for a relationship.

08024021282 •Onyi, needs a rich lady, aged 35-40, for a relationship.

08109040786 •Zoe, 41, from Delta state, needs a tall and busty lady, who is a university graduate, aged 28-34, from either Edo or Delta state, for marriage.

08025152808 •Obinna, 30, from Abia State, needs a God fearing, rich lady, aged 33, for marriage.

08189485207 •Ezeabata, 26, handsome and resides in Okigwe in Imo state, needs a rich and beautiful girl for a relationship that can lead to marriage.08033643681 •Chris, 26, fair in complexion and handsome, presently serving at Calabar, needs a serious and matured lady, for a serious date. 08038807973, BB pin, 21C5C0AE, 08141134894 •Deji, 33, dark in complexion, handsome and romantic, needs a decent and mature lady, for a serious relationship.

08176113825, 08112595493 •Toma, 49, needs a fair in complexion lady, as second wife.

08105351650, 08063534323, 08077845717 •A guy, 36, 5.7ft tall, dark in complexion, employed, Yoruba by tribe and resides in Lagos, needs a single and religious Muslim lady, aged 30, who is employed, from either South or north, for marriage.

08087074640, 08138856900, 08170141833 •Frank, 31, employed and resides in Lagos, needs a lady, for a relationship. 08028579546, 07066546771 •Banky, 35, tall, good looking , resides in Abuja and employed, needs a responsible lady, for a serious relationship, that will lead to marriage. 07062710818 •Olisa, employed and resides in Awka, needs an employed lady, for marriage. 08163792549 •Michael, 25, tall, slim and resides in Lagos, needs a lady, aged 18-25, for a serious relationship. 07084971020 •Akeem, resides in Lagos, needs a decent lady, for a serious relationship, that will lead to marriage. 08098474966 •Olaoye, 32 and resides in Ibadan, needs a lady as wife, who ready to settle down.

08147935477 •Ben, a graduate, from Benin, needs a hardworking and God fearing girl, for a serious relationship, aged 22-28.

08052023964 •Ehi, 45, needs a romantic lady, aged 35 and above, for a mutual benefit and romance.

08095713680 •Ben, 20, resides in Benin, needs an endowed lady, for a relationship. 07036881573 •Chuks, generous, active and fun loving, needs a lady, aged 16-20, in Benin, for a romantic relationship. 08150773492, 08103642177 •Christopher, 25, dark in com-

plexion and resides in Benin, needs a kind and caring lady, aged 19-20, for a relationship.

08182235000 •Uche, 24, needs a lady, aged 36-38, for a relatiuonship.

07065190305 •Stan, 33, nice, humble, from Edo state and a businessman, needs a God fearing woman, who is ready to settle down.

08066583411, 07016753679 •Kings, from Delta state, needs a lady in Asaba, for a relationship, aged 18-28. 07035222858 •Sunny, 33 tall, dark in complexion and handsome, needs a wealthy lady, aged 25-36, for a romantic and serious relationship, that will lead to marriage.

07037524974, 08024354393 •Akpo, 35, tall from Delta state, needs a pretty and decent lady, who is employed, within Delta state, for a relationship.

08076405812 •John, 50, employed and from Owerri, needs a lady; aged 3550, who is resides in Owerri, for a relationship. 081222873 00 •Dan, 40, needs a busty, lady with one or two kids, aged 37 and above for a relationship.

07060878264 •A man, 39, needs a lady, who is God fearing, aged 38-42, for a serious relationship that will lead to marriage. 08170214029 •Treasure, 28, fair in complexion, handsome and energetic, needs a beautiful and bold sexy lady, for discreet affairs.

08035739670 •Ayodeji, 37, needs a lady, aged 20 and above, who is ready for marriage as soon as possible. 08034073183 •Princewill, 30, fair in complexion, 6ft tall, employed and resides in Abuja, needs a lady, aged 18-30, for a romantic relationship. 07018881991 •Samuel, resides in Asaba, needs a lady, aged 17-25, who resides in Asaba, for a relationship. 08061237449 •Samson, 29, employed and resides in Delta state, needs a nurse, aged 18-22, for a relationship.08033804486 •Morris, 16, needs a lady, aged 16-21, who can take of him.

08173372376, 08039608950 •Taiwo, 23 and a businessman, in Lagos, needs a good and responsible lady for a serious date.08158141045 •Danny, 20, handsome and fun loving, in Benin, needs a posh, voluptuous lady, for a s erious relationship. 08181916457 •Ezekiel, 23, from Edo state, needs a God fearing and beautiful lady, aged 17-20, for a relationship that can lead to marriage.08159903948 •A guy, tall, average height, chocolate in complexion, needs a lady, for a serious relationship. 07051108458

•Cosmas, 38, from Delta state needs a respectful, honest, understanding, homely, good character and beautiful lady, as a wife, aged 20-32.

07019056672

Sugar Cares Searching Female

•Princess, 22, resides in Delta state, needs a sugar daddy that

can take care of her needs for a good relationship, distance is not a barrier. 08161240062 •Jenny, 25, pretty and busty, needs a nice and caring sugar daddy, aged30-60.

08108711515 •Dorothy, 24, fair in complexion, tall and from Delta state Asaba, needs a caring sugar daddy.08030567972 •Amaka, 25, from Delta state Asaba dark in complexion and average height, needs a caring sugar daddy.07061614380 •Nicky, 22, needs a sugar daddy, who resides in East that can take care of her, financially.

08137312773 •Eunice needs a nice, caring sugar daddy, aged 50 and above.08092087950.

•Tracy, 23, pretty tall, undergraduate and fun to be with, needs a generous sugar daddy that can take care of her needs.08074463312

Searching Male

•Chuks, 25, handsome, romantic and resides in Port Harcourt, needs a caring and loving sugar mummy, aged 38-50.

08103457680 •Emeka, 26, in Lagos State, needs a bouyant and sex starved lady in Lagos between 30-48 for a relationship on 07083109899 •Ty, 35, handsome, sexy, romantic, fair in complexion and student in Lagos, needs a rich, beautiful and sexy sugar mummy, who can take good care of him financially for a romantic relationship.08097504233 •David from Delta state, needs a mature sugar mummy, who is capable of taking care of him.08146441637 •Sam, 25, employed and resides in Delta state, needs a sugar mummy.08160635546 07051334091 •Zighima 23, an up coming artiste in Warri Delta state, needs a sugar mummy, for financial assistance, aged 30-50.

08132265057,08052027201 •Emmanuel, 20, from Delta state, needs a sugar mummy.07037675510 Tony, 31, from Edo state, needs a sugar mummy, aged4047.08098001421 •Martins, 28, resides in Lagos, needs a sugar mummy that can give him joy and happiness, aged 35-45. 08060594883 •Jerry, 30, needs an active and

sexy sugar mummy, who needs a neat young active guy aged 30 -50.08138895902 •Michael, 26, 5.9ft, tall, fair in complexion and a final year student, who resides in Asaba, needs a sugar mummy.

08187063506 •Atete, needs a sugar mummy, who can take care of his education. 08188166007 •Donald, 29, a graduate, needs a sugar mummy, in Port Harcourt, who can assist him to get a job.08038942069 •Emperor, 29,tall, handsome and reisdes in Lagos, needs a sugar mummy.08128292024 •Chukwunoso, 28, tall, dark in complexion and from Delta state, needs a rich sugar mummy, aged39-48. 08185261864, 07034397370 •Chukwudi, 19, needs a sugar mummy. 08163269062 •Solomon, 25 and resides in Lagos, needs a sugar mummy.

08133070080 • Bright, 27, employed and from Aba, needs a sugar mummy, aged35-40. 07035139196 •A guy,handsome and honest, needs a sugar mummy, who can assist him financially.

08027761453,08138007034 •Kevin, 22, cute, intelligent and gentle, needs a sugar mummy to help financially in his academics.07036855867, 07025048388 •A guy 23, resides in Enugu state, needs a good, caring and pretty sugar mummy, aged 3545, for a relationship.

07062057439 •Ude, 36, from Enugu state, needs a sugar mummy, aged 40-45, who is rich, for a serious relationship 08038014929 •Emi, 28, resides in Abuja, needs a caring, sexy and loving sugar mummy for a romantic relationship. 07013228075, 08131983958 •Dave, from Delta state, needs a matured and rich sugar mummy.08146441637 •Jim, 30, needs a rich, pretty and romantic sugar mummy, for a serious relationship.

08058885335, 08023797949 •Martins, 24, a student and resides in Benin, needs a sugar mummy, aged 50, that can fin ance his education.

07013439287,08174961953 •Lucky, tall, handsome, from Asaba Delta state, needs a caring and loving sugar mummy.

08144007477 •Stanley, 21, a student, from Owerri, needs a rich sugar mummy aged 40- 45.

07065893100 •Don, needs a sugar mummy.08032242298 •A guy, 24, 5.6ft tall, a student, fair in complexion, from Anambra state, needs a sugar mummy. 08038575483 •Benji, 22, a student, needs a sugar mummy.07061027874 Kelvin, 22, needs a sugar mummy who will take care of him in Port Harcourt. 07014209304, 08161557421 •Dusino, tall, handsome and from Asaba Delta state, needs a caring and lovely sugar mummy. 08144007477 •Austin, 27, a student, resides in PH, needs a sugar mummy that is sexy and rich.

08069055165 •Lloyd, 25, slim, chocolate in complexion, average height,

slim and from Delta state, needs a sugar mummy, for a relations h i p .

07069273257,08164612572 •Moses, fair in complexion and resides in Benin, needs a caring sexy sugar mummy to sponsor his educations.

08160825913, 08179442043 •Mega, 27, tall, slim, chocolate in complexion and resides in Delta state, needs a sugar mummy. 08034868430, 07057112382 •Dickson, 24, a student, handsome and energetic, needs a vibrant sugar mummy for a hot romantic relationship; age and distance are no barriers.08159506819 •Justice, 32, from Delta state, needs a sugar mummy that can take care of him. 07062535794 •Jt, 28, resides in Lagos needs a sugar mummy, aged 30-35 with hip and who is also busty for a hot romance. 08092368984 •Maxwell, 25, 6.5ft tall, dark in complexion, huge, handsome and from Abuja, needs a rich sugar mummy, for a serious affair. 07037475516 •Paul, 28, resides in Delta state, needs a sugar mummy, aged 30-40, for a relationship.

08189577356 •James, 31, needs a sugar mummy, aged 19-25, in Delta state.

08026433865 •Jerry, 22, needs a sugar mummy, who is caring for fun.

08068928593 •Johnson, 27, fair in complexion, handsome, resides in benin, edo state needs a sugar mummy, that is loving, caring and has a good heart for a serious relationship. 08050735545 •Edozie from Anambra state needs a sugar mummy, who can take care of him. 08166843650, 08054063294 •Harry, 22, from Ph, needs a sugar mummy, for a serious relationship. 07033241055 •Solo, 35, resides in Lagos, needs a sexy sugar mummy in Lagos. 08131049819 •Tony needs a serious sugar mummy.

08037149701, 08179696492.

•Jeffrey, 23, fair in complexion and resides in Agbor Delta state, needs a sugar mummy, aged 40-43, that can take care of him financially. 08100551710 •A guy, needs a caring sugar mummy, aged 30-55, for a very serious relationship, that can lead to marriage.

08024778575, 08036854859 •Chiboy, 27, a student and resides in Ph, needs a lovely, wealthy and elegant sugar mummy that can take good care of him, aged 30-50, for a relationship. 08063552344 •A guy, needs an educated sugar mummy, aged 40-50.

08075440407 •Precious, 20, needs a sugar mummy, who is well to do.08147772681 •Uyi, 26, from Edo state, needs a sugar mummy, for a relationship, that c an lead to marriage.

08034385239 •John, from Delta state, needs a hot and sexy sugar mummy, aged 24-60, for a serious relationship.08168782601 •Gabriel, from Delta state, needs a sugar mummy, for a relationship. 08153850024 •Cozy, needs a girl, with hips, busty, pretty and romantic, for a relationship.08103601339

PAGE 40— SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014, Email: vanguardwoman@gmail.com

BY JOSEPHINE IGBINOVIA

T

ope Oshin Ogun is presently one of Nigeria’s fastest rising female directors in the make-believe industry. Also a producer, actor, dialogue coach and casting director, the lovely mother of four boys was for five years the only female director on MNET’s multiple awardwinning ‘Tinsel’. Tope’s movies have received several nominations and awards from reputed bodies like African Movies Academy Awards (AMAA), TAVA (Television and Audio Visual Awards) and more.

The year 2000 graduate of Theatre Arts, TV and Film Production from the Lagos State University currently owns Sunbow Productions Limited and she is happily married to Yinka Ogun, a screenwriter, content provider and developer.

Enjoy our chat with her.

My fast rise is well-deserved —Tope Ogun, multiple award-winning filmmaker my experience cuts across different genres. It may look like a fast rise but I tell you, it’s a rise well-deserved because I have worked.

*Tope Ogun

For how long have you been into directing?

BOUT seven to eight years now. I worked on Tinsel where I directed about 350 episodes and I’ve shot other movies that earned me some awards. I also shot Journey to Self which was in the cinemas last year.

A

C M Y K

,,

We have more male directors than female. Why didn’t you settle for acting?

I actually started my career as an actress. After I got married and started having kids, precisely while pregnant with my last child, some seeds dropped inside me from an older colleague who felt I should look into directing and working behind the scene because I seemed very concerned about how the whole process come together. So, at a point when I couldn’t act while pregnant, I gave more thought to it by doing more research and reading, trying to see if working behind the scene was for me. Gradually, I fell in love with it and that was it! After my baby came, I started assistant directing, interning, and more. I did less and less of acting until I found that there wasn’t time for me to act anymore. I got unto big projects like Apprentice Africa and Tinsel where I directed for five years and later became box and content producer. I’ve worked on Moment with Mo and a whole lot more.

Before I left Tinsel in April last year, I had shot about 350 episodes and if you calculate that in shooting hours, that’s probably some people’s experience in 20 years

What would you say is responsible for your fast rise in the industry?

I would say consistency and shooting hours. In other parts of the world, your career

is judged by how many shooting hours you’ve had.

Before I left Tinsel in April last year, I had shot about 350 episodes and if you calculate that in shooting hours, that’s probably some people’s experience in 20 years. I’ve worked on talk shows and reality shows, and

You’re only seen on very low hair cut; why this choice of hairstyle?

It’s convenient. I don’t have time at all; after taking care of my four boys everyday and shooting on locations, I really do not have the time to be weaving or fixing. This is convenient for me and I love it. I’m lucky my husband is in same industry because we often work together; I shoot content, he produces viceversa.

Let’s talk about your recent project which is currently airing on EbonyLife TV… Yes, that’s New Horizons. It was a totally different experience. I had never worked with all four star actresses- Funke Akindele, Uche Jombo, Rita Dominic and Kate Henshaw on the same set before. Primary though for me, the joy was in shooting a movie that had a strong message and the propensity to touch lives.

Knowing that someone out there would watch the movie and have the courage to say no to being abused in marriage or whatever relationship, will have the courage to step out of the abusive situation and to shout out for help. For me, that’s the most important thing about the movie because as viewers are being entertained, they also discover that there is hope.

You sound very passionate; any personal experience from the past?

Nothing personal at all. I’m just very much concerned about things that change the world. I believe that we have too many problems as human beings to continue to entertain ourselves for entertainment sake. We can’t smile, laugh and dance like everything is okay with the world. People are killing each other everyday, children are dying everyday and women are dying everyday! We have issues and the earlier we find ways to deal with them and look for ways forward, the better for us all.

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014, PAGE 41

‘Policy makers need modern economic models’

BY UDEME CLEMENT HE Director General, West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM), Prof. Akpan Ekpo, has called on policy makers in Nigeria and countries within the West African sub-region to embrace modern research tools and economic models to enhance rapid economic growth and development.

Ekpo made this known while giving his keynote address, during the opening ceremony on, the regional course on basic statistics, econometrics and research methods, orga-

T

nized by WAIFEM in Lagos.

He said, “Understanding of basic statistic, econometrics and research methods by policy makers involved in the management of our economy has become increasingly necessary given the ever increasing openness, internationalization of economic transactions and the need to appreciate the link between theory and practices. Statistics is a branch of mathematics while econometrics involves a blend of mathematics, statistics and economic theory. These concepts are important to economic growth and de-

velopment of every nation.”

According to him, policy makers should understand the concepts and their linkage with workings of the economy. He went on: “This is because econometrics results bring empirical content to bear on the economic relations.

The application of statistics, especially in a developing economy revolves around the basic knowledge and competences in research methodology of which mathematics and statistics provide the basic foundation. To fast track economic growth and development, indepth knowl-

edge of basic econometric theory and practice application in various sectors of the economy is essential for building a strong foundation in economic policy research for managing the economic policy framework for optimum outputs, which should be derived within the short and longrun development. Therefore, it becomes imperative for such highly developed and skilled manpower to engage in economic policy analysis by efficiently utilizing economic and financial data to estimate economic relationships, test economic hypothesis to predict economic outcomes”.

The Managing Director/CEO of Platinum Mortgage Bank Ltd, Engr Mbaka, bagged Outstanding Professional Personality Award IMPACT Nigeria Awards 2014.

The award was received on his behalf by Mr Okechukwu Onyejiuwa, ED of the Mortgage firm.

L-R: Head Corporate Affairs; Chukwuma Ogbuagu, Executive Director; Okechukwu Onyejiuwa, Head Admin; Oluchy Aneke, & Head Loans Set-up & Pay-off; Thomas Onimisi.

FEDERATION ACCOUNT CRISIS

Kwara loses N10 billion

BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI

K

WARA State gov ernment said it has lost about N10billion since August last year due to reduction from the monthly statutory a l l o c a t i o n .

The state Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Demola Nurudeen Banu disclosed this in Ilorin. Banu accused the Federal Government of being insensitive to the plight of worke r s .

He noted that the shortfall in the allocation has been causing hardship for civil servants and pensioners across the country due to inability to comply with budgetary expenditure.

The commissioner, giving the breakdown of the loss, explained that the state government has a shortfall of over N6 billion while the 16 local governments in the state recorded over N4 b i l l i o n .

He added that the Federation Account has recorded over N800 billion shortfall in the last seven months, effective from August 2013 and called on the Federal Government to put all machinery in motion to stop oil theft and vandalisation.

The commissioner also ponted out that the implication of not receiving full allocation in line with the budget is that most states will not be able to pay salaries and meet other financial obligations.

He however noted that Kwara State would continue to make concerted efforts to ensure prompt payment of workers’ salaries and meet other commitm e n t s .

He advised the opposition in the state to stop playing politics with workers welfare. “Let them call on the Federal Government to do the needful. ”This problem is affecting all the 36 states of the country. Are we going to continue with this hardship? The Federal Government must find a lasting solution to this problem in order to ensure prompt payment of civil servants salary and other delivery of developmental projects across the country for the benefit of the people”, he said.

PAGE 42—SUNDAY, Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014

50 hear ty ccheer heer or NIMAS A’s fformer ormer DG hearty heerss ffor NIMASA

T

emisan Omatseye, former Director General of Nigeria M a r i t i m e Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), joined the ‘golden’ club of the fiftyyear-olds penultimate weekend and the maritime man did so in style as he threw a lavish birthday party to entertain friends and family.

The celebration started with a thanksgiving session at the Overcomers Church, Lekki, Lagos followed by a red carpet reception at the Red Carpet Event centre in the same area of Lagos. Photos by Shola Oyelese

The celebrant, Mr Temisan Omatseye and family.

R-L: Prince Ete Omatseye, Mrs Shirley Omatseye and Mr Tuoyo Omatseye.

R-L: Mrs Uwala Murphy Akpieyi, Mrs Honeybell Omatseye-Ogunye, Ms Louisa Afini and Ms Amah Omatseye.

L-R: Mrs Patience Ude-Umanta,Mrs Blessing Uwenja and Mrs Alero Edu

Glo Lisabi festival 20 14 201

T

he Globacom’s sponsored Lisabi Festival for 2014 held in Abeokuta, Ogun State recently.

Highlights of the festival include seminar which held at the Cultural Centre, Lisabi football competition, Children Day activity amongst many others.

L-R: Sub-C’tee Chairman, Chief Tunji Sotoyinbo, Chairman, Prof.

Akin Mabogunje,State Commissioner for Culture, Mrs. Yewande Amusan, Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, Glo Div. Dir, Ogun State, Mr. Gbolahan Olajide and Chief Rasheed Raji.

R-L: Mrs Gbubemi Omatseye, celebrant ‘s wife, Mr Tony Omatseye, Mr Temisan Omatseye, celebrant and Mr Oluwole Oshin.

Baasala of Egbaland, Chief Francis Sotunde (right) assisted by Glo's Div Dir, Ogun State, Mr. Gbolahan Olajide (left) trophy to the Captain of the Owu Team, Tobi Osunkemitan (middle) .

L-R: Hon. Jolomi Okorodudu, Mr Godwin Ojosor and Capt Anthony Dediare L-R: Mr. Gbolahan Olajide with Ogun State SSG, Barr. Taiwo Adeoluwa and the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo .

L-R: Pa Oye Arubi, Prince (Sir) K . B. Omatseye and Mr Tony Omatseye

A cross section of some lucky winners at the 2014 Lisabi Festival Children Day Activity

SUNDAY, Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014, PAGE 43

Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award The 2014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award was held at Eko Expo Hall, Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos on Saturday 8th, March 2014.

L-R: Nico Meyer, CEO MultiChoice Africa; Adewunmi Ogunsanya, Chairman, MultiChoice Nigeria; John Ugbe, Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria and Biola Alabi, Director Special Projects, M-net Africa, during the 2014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award held at Eko Expo Hall, Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

L-R: Shumani Gerrade, General Manager, Regulatory Affairs, MultiChoice Nigeria; Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, Regional Director, Mnet West Africa and John Ugbe, Managing Director MultiChoice Nigeria.

Adewunmi Ogunsanya, Chairman MultiChoice Nigeria (left) and Hasiya Abdu, Head of Operations, MultiChoice Nigeria

Caroline Oghuma, PR Manager, MultiChoice Nigeria (left) and Noyen Omotola, Stakeholders Manager, MultiChoice Africa

Martin Mabutho, General Manager, Marketing and Sales, MultiChoice Nigeria (left) and Gideon Khobane, Marketing Manager, M-net Africa.

IMAGES FROM WOMEN’S DA Y DAY Vanguard Newspapers, in collaboration with the Centre for Black African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC), joined women around the world to mark 2014 International Women’s Day celebration with a Roundtable Conference under the theme; Inspiring Change: Nigeria Centenary, the Pains, the Gains.

The Flag-off of 2nd River Niger Bridge The flag off of the 2nd Niger Bridge project was recently held in Anambra State, on Monday March 10.

President Goodluck Jonathan (left) in a handshake with Works Minister, Mike Onolememen.

Director General, CBAAC, Professor Tunde Babawale, His Royal Highness, Oba Dokun Abolarin, the Orogun of Oke-Ila, and Mrs. Funmi Oladele, Director, CBAAC.

Her Excellency, Mrs Funmilayo Adesegun, wife of the Deputy Governor, Ogun State and Mrs. Bimpe Bamgbose-Martins.

From left: Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, Mike Onolememen and Labour and Productivity Minister , Emeka Wogu at the event C M Y K

PAGE 44 —SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014

The power of passion and the spirit of the warrior

BY FEMI FANI-KAYODE

U

NTILL you hear the Scotsman play the bagpipes in the early morning mist of the Scottish highlands, you have heard nothing.

Until you hear the Irish maiden sing ‘’O Danny Boy ’’ on the lush green fields of the Emerald Isle, you know nothing.

Until you hear the Welshman sing ‘’Men of Harlech’’ in the beautiful valleys of Pontypool and Pontyprid, you have heard nothing. Until you see the English rose blossom and bloom in early spring and you hear the British Grenadiers sing ‘’God Save The Queen’’, you have seen nothing. Until you see the ‘’Charge of the Light Brigade’’ and witness the courage of ‘’the famous 600'’, you know nothing.

Until you see the Zulu warrior dance his battle dance on the hills of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift, you know nothing. Until you hear the Ashanti and the Yoruba sing songs of praise to the Living God, you have heard nothing. Until you see the Frenchman sing ‘’La Marseillaise’’ and ‘’Je Ne Regrette Rien’’, you know nothing.

Until you see brave men fight, suffer and die for a noble and just cause, you know nothing. Until you hear the cries, see the tears, read the words and feel the pain of a wounded, tormented and broken soul, you have seen nothing. Until you feel the passion of the wounded Messiah on the cross at Calvary, you know nothing.

All these unseen things inspire. They stir the spirit and move the soul. They breath and bleed passion. They ARE passion itself. And passion is the essence of life. It is the food of the compassionate and the sensitive spirit. It is the fuel of noble and courageous souls. It is the stuff of which gods and immortals are made. It is our passport to posterity- our key to future glory. Yet nothing and no-one epitomises the power of passion more than the spirit of the warrior.

The warrior is noble and strong. His resolve is firm and his commitment is total.

His is to kill, to shed blood and to be killed.

His is to die for his king and for a worthy cause. His is to protect and lay down his life for his faith, his nation, his people and his loved ones.

What manner of men are these whose spirit speak of such valour and nobility?

Consider the ancient Spartans and the Roman warriors of old. Consider the fearsome Vikings who believed that it was a curse to die a peaceful death and that the only way to heaven was to die violently and heroically in fearsome battle. Consider the greatest of all warriors that ever lived, the noble and gallant Achilles.

Consider Alexander the Great who conquered the world with his sword. Consider King David, the greatest of all the kings of Israel, who was a man of blood and war and yet whom God so loved and who loved God more than any other.

Consider David’s “strongmen” who stood with him through thick and thin and who fought for and protected him to the very end. Consider their gallant captain, the mighty Joab and the others, Abishai, Asahel, Eleazer, the Tachomonite, Shammah, Benaiah, Eliam, Igal and Uriah the Hittite.

These were David’s ‘’strongmen’’: all great and valient men of war whose courage was legendary and whose loyalty to their God and their King was unflinching and unquestionable.

Consider Shaka the Zulu, Beowulf the Nordic king and William Wallace the liberator of Scotland. Consider King Henry V of England who routed the French at the battle of Agincourt even though he was outnumbered by three men to one.

Consider Julius Caesar who came, who saw and who conquered. Consider the great Heracles who was a descendant of the mighty Hercules himself. Consider

•Fani-Kayode Spartacus, who turned slaves into men.

Consider Samson, who slew a troop with the jaw bone of an ass and yet who fell at the touch of a woman.

Consider Gideon who slew the Midianites, Jeptha who sacrificed his own

,,

C M Y K

his 3rd Marine Commando at the Battle of Ore. Consider Olusegun Obasanjo at the battle of Owerri and Murtala Mohammed at the liberation of Benin.

Consider Zhukov at the siege of Leningrad and his courageous exploits at the battle of Moscow. Consider Bernard

We must ensure that the good in our land prevails over the evil and that the light overcomes the darkness.

That is our hope and that is the challenge before every selfrespecting Nigerian today - to scale the obstacles in our land and to bring hope to the hopeless

daughter, Joshua who brought down the walls of Jericho and Jehu, who drove his chariot like a madman, who slew the witchQueen Jezebel and who fulfilled prophesy by ensuring that the dogs ate her flesh and licked her blood in the fields of Jezreel.

Consider those that laid down their lives for our great and noble faith: Paul of Tarsus, the greatest of all the apostles, who brought the glorious gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to the gentiles and to the wider world.

Peter the disciple, who became the rock on whom the Church of God was built.

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Samuel, Stephen, Isaiah, Elijah, Daniel, John and all the other disciples and prophets of old.

For martyrs and heroes that lived and died for God are also gallant warriors who feared not death and who stood firm to the end in defence of their faith.

Consider George Washington who led his troops into battle and whose battle cry was “victory or death”. Consider the charge of the Light Brigade, the sheer courage and discipline of the famous 600, at the battle of Balaclava in the fields of the Crimea.

Consider General Lee at the battle of Gettysberg, Oliver Cromwell at the battle of Nasby, Horatio Nelson at the battle of Trafalgar and King Leonides, with his gallant ‘’300'’, at the battle of Thermopalye. Consider Generals Marshal, Patton, Eisenhower, Rommel and MacArthur in the great battles of the Second World war. Consider the ‘’Black Scorpion’’, General Benjamin Adekunle, with

Montgomery, with his fearless ‘’Desert Rats’’, at the battle of Alamein, Charles De Gaulle at the siege of Paris and Chiang Kai-Shek in the war against Japan.

Consider Attila the Hun, Ghengis Khan, Peter the Great, Richard the Lionheart, Salahudeen the Compassionate, Katsumoto the Samurai, Hannibal of Carthage and Hector of Troy.

Consider our gallant amazons and female warriors of old- Boudica of East Anglia, Joan D’Arc of France, Elizabeth 1 of England, Amina of Zaria, Moremi of Ife, Golda Meir of the State Of Israel, Margret Thatcher of Great Britain, Indira Ghandi of India, Queen Idia of Benin, Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan, Queen Esther of the Medes and Persians, Cleopatra of the Blue Nile and Egypt and Yaa Asantewaa of the Ashanti Kingdom.

Consider Generals Foche and Hague at the battle of the Somme. Consider George Armstrong Custer at the battle of the Little Big Horn, the Duke of Wellington at the battle of Waterloo and Napolean Bonaparte, in his full glory and power, at the battle of Marengo.

Consider Aragorn of Gondor, who won the battle for Middle Earth and who broke the power of the ring. Consider Cyrus of Persia, whose compassion knew no bounds and who allowed Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Consider Lancelot of the Round Table, the most handsome and courageous of all King Arthur’s knights, who was unbeatable in battle and who captured the heart of the queen.

Consider Aslan, the great Lion of Narnia, whose roar filled the land, whose power drove away the winter and who crushed the white witch in battle. Consider Maximus Decimus Meridius, Commander of the Armies of the North and General of the Felix Legions, who fought with strength and honour, who slew the wicked Emperor and who delivered the City of Rome.

Consider Uthman Dan Fodio who spread his faith with zeal and valour and who built a formidable empire. Consider Robert Gould Shaw and the exploits of his ‘’all black regiment’’, the 54th Massachusetts, at the battle of Fort Wagner. Consider Mohammadu Buhari at the battlefront in Chad when he drove the enemy from our borders and marched towards of Ndjamena. Consider Halilu Akilu who crushed the Maitatsine and who saved the ancient City of Kano. Consider Adekunle Fajuyi who laid down his life for his brother, T.Y. Danjuma who avenged a generation and Mamman Shuwa who sang songs into battle. Consider Isa Mohammed who secured our eastern borders and who threw the Camerounians out of the Bakassi Peninsular.

Had these great men and women all not stood their ground and had they all not played their role in our collective history, where would the world be today? They sacrificed their today so that we may have our tomorrow.

They lived and died for the sake of others and asked for only one thing in return: that their names should live forever and that we should never forget their noble deeds and their worthy sacrifices.

And we must not forget, nay we dare not forget, for as Martin Luther King once said “if a man is not ready to die for something, then he is not worthy of living for anything”.

The warrior is prepared to die for his cause.

That is what makes him so noble and that is why he will always have a special place in our hearts.

May the spirit of the warrior and selfless courage fill us all and, like the true warriors that we are meant to be, when the angel of death comes may the Lord give us the strength and boldness to look at him fearlessly in the face and treat him with the contempt and disdain that he deservesknowing that he has lost his sting and that, by the power of Christ Jesus, he has been conquered and crushed.

When the dark angel comes, as come he must for us all, let us be men and let us die a good death, not cringing and crying like puppies, but like true warriors, fighting to the bitter end. For it is never for the warrior to ask the why: it is only for the warrior to do or die. The warrior does not vanish into the night. The warrior will not go down without a fight.

Permit me to end this contribution with the following counsel. Courage is the greatest of all the virtues and it is the best defence. Regardless of whatever challenges we may face today, like the warrior, we must show courage. We must stay the course, steel our hearts, fortify our faith, shed our fears and march on in the strength and power of the Lord. We must stand firm, refuse to bow, refuse to flinch and we must defy the enemy. We must stand and we must fight.

We must ensure that the good in our land prevails over the evil and that the light overcomes the darkness. That is our hope and that is the challenge before every self-respecting Nigerian today- to scale the obstacles in our land and to bring hope to the hopeless, the vulnerable, the weak, the poor, the deprived and the less privilaged.

That is what warriors are meant to do and my prayer is that the Lord grants each and every one of us the prescence of mind and the fortitude to do it. May God bless and defend our nation.

*Fani-Kayode is a former Minister of Aviation

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014 — PAGE 45

Why we don’t need Jonathan’s ‘Church Tourism’, by Senator Adetunmbi Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi, representing Ekiti North, is the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Interior. In this piece, Adetunmbi warns against what he describes as ‘religionalisation of politics’ by President Goodluck Jonathan.

I

N the past few months, President Goodluck Jonathan has embarked on a Church visitation exercise some have now humorously christened ‘Church Tourism.’ It started with a trip to Jerusalem, the holy land. 19 governors, some key government functionaries and the ever voluble President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, accompanied the President on a pilgrimage of sorts to Israel on what could be termed a spiritual sojourn of discovery.

At the end of the spiritual odyssey, hands were laid on Jonathan and prayers offered for his success.

Perhaps still energized by the spiritual rebirth he experienced after the trip bankrolled with public funds, the President embarked on a Church voyage with the usual array of top government functionaries and spiritual leaders in toe. In the last few months, the President has visited over six churches and still counting. The Dunamis Church has played host to the new found love of the number one citizen who worshipped there a few weeks ago. The Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Living Faith Church and the Apostolic Church, Utako including some notable churches in Lagos have also opened their doors to the President who has more or less used their hallowed pulpit to advocate what many have tagged ‘the political patronage of the average church goer.’

The Nigerian Constitution clearly grants the President freedom of association, religious affiliation and worship.

But it must be noted firmly that he also holds a unique position as an embodiment of the ethno-religious diversities of over 160 million Nigerians. Therefore Jonathan should pursue his religious belief mindful of his status so that he’s not seen as politicizing religion or religionizing politics or further polarizing an already fractured nation dangerously along ethno-religious cleavages.

The President has been criticized severely in the past for being a master at playing the ethnic and religious card whenever it suits him best politically. His visits to the churches filled with Nigerians who more or less share his religious beliefs, while harmless on the surface,undoubtedly gives credence to this school of thought.

Given the vehement defense by the President’s handlers, Nigerians are to expect more of such visits in coming weeks as Jonathan has vowed to worship at least once every month at churches outside the presidential chapel. By using the intimidating paraphernalia of office to sway a religious segment of the society to his side, Jonathan has taken the manipulative exploitation of religion for partisan political gains to a level unbecoming of a statesman. This desperate deployment of faith as a tool for political eligibility or qualification for election or re-election into office is a dangerous precedent.

‘Society is worse off’ In retrospect, the President must be urged by well-meaning Nigerians to learn to separate the pulpit from politics even if

•Jonathan

•Oritsejafor

he banks on the voting strength of the Church in his mission to succeed himself in the face of mounting opposition within and outside his party. History has shown that when politics is brought into the Church, or the Church into politics, society is worse

he so chooses, but pulpits and sacred alters should not be platforms for partisan political statements by presidential aspirants.

The President’s speeches from the pulpits of prominent churches have begun

And if Mr. President feels he must continue on his religious trail, I enjoin him to visit Pastor Tunde Bakare’s Latter Rain Assembly, he should also extend his worship to churches in Yobe, Adamawa, Borno and Benue states.

If Mr. President cannot worship with the Christian community in these volatile states, then he should stop henceforth this obnoxious religious campaign

,,

off on the long run.

The suppression and manipulation of the society by the state, through the Church and religion, dates back to medieval Britain and 20th century pre-revolution Russia where some of the worst atrocities mankind has experienced took place.

A multi-ethnic and multi-religious society like ours is certainly not immune to the dangers awaiting a nation which allows power and politics to lie comfortably on the shoulders of its religious institutions. The fragility of Nigeria will be further exacerbated by heightened religious and ethnic tension which is indirectly being stirred by the President’s ‘church tourism.’ Many across religious and even political divides agree that these politicized Church visits are harmful on the long run to the President’s score card which is dismal at best and his warped political calculations. The question must be asked: Why has GEJ allowed religion to take the center stage of his campaign rather than corruption, jobs, security, defense spending, education etc? As a political analyst put it succinctly, Church or no Church, issues of performance with measurable indices are what would define the next elections.Therefore the President should refrain from using the pulpit to make policy statements of government.

‘Subtle campaign’ Like every other Nigerian, Jonathan is free to worship in churches or mosques if

to attract disparagement from a large segment of society and sadly are perceived as a subtle campaign for votes from the altar. Many say that this is not the first time the President would play the religious card in his political voyage. In 2010, before the 2011 presidential election, he visited the Redemption Camp of the RCCG to secure the votes of Christians.

Two years after that presidential electioneering, he paid another widely publicized visit to the Redemption Camp to give thanks to God and asked for prayers to enable him rule the country. The President has the freedom to decide his religious leaning and worship in any Christian denomination of his preference.

However Nigerians, including those of other faiths, also own the inalienable liberty to express their dissatisfaction at a situation where the nation’s Chief Security Officer and number one citizen makes sensitive political pronouncements in churches.

‘Divisive situation’ The President needs to be called to order quickly in order to avert a potentially divisive situation in the ever tense ethnoreligious country like Nigeria. As canvassed by no less a religious figure than the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference, Ignatius Kaigama, the President needs to stop forthwith his politically motivated visits to churches and the usage of the pulpit to indirectly request for votes of

Christians. Kaigama is not just a lone voice in this call. A prominent cleric, George Ehusani, put it succinctly, “I think that the current President is mixing politics with religion. He is the President of the whole Nigeria; he is not only the President of Christians. He is a Christian who is President but while a Christian is President in a country that is 50% Christian and 50% Muslim, you have to be careful.”

For the Church, it is time to take up the gauntlet against this subtle presidential onslaught on its age-long independence. It is wrong for the President to bring the soapbox into the Church. I also don’t think pastors should allow their pulpits to become public policy platforms for politicians; it contaminates the gospel. The sanctuary is a hallowed chamber and should not be debased by politics of transient power. This is a desperate bid of a Christian politician to use the Church for a subtle endorsement without reference to the capacity to perform and deliver welfare to the people as Jesus Christ did by feeding the multitude, healing the sick and giving hope. The President should be encouraged and advised to rise above partisanship and religious bigotry and scale up to the status of a s t a t e s m a n .

The burden of personal desires and the clamour forpower is real and it takes the grace of God to rise above these. The President should ask God for this exceeding grace to overcome self and all primordial desires that do not edify him, the Church and the nation.

‘No anti-Christian’ No one should commit the error that my views are ‘anti-Christian.’ No! Far from it! I am a confessed believer in the person and the divinity of Jesus Christ and He constitutes the centre of my being and hope for eternal life. I therefore consider it degrading to the status of Christ to be dragged into the politics of temporal power in a manner that excludes people of other faiths that Jesus gave His life for. And if Mr. President feels he must continue on his religious trail, I enjoin him to visit Pastor Tunde Bakare’s Latter Rain Assembly; he should also extend his worship to churches in Yobe, Adamawa, Borno and Benue states. If Mr. President cannot worship with the Christian community in these volatile states, then he should stop henceforth this obnoxious religious campaign.

‘Reversal of spiritual protocol’ On a final note, from the accounts in the Holy Bible, priests took messages of God to kings of nations and read riot acts to them through the famous quote, ‘Thus sayeth the Lord God.’ Ironically, we are now faced with the situation where an un-ordained person climbs the altar of God to say “Thus sayeth the President”. This is a reversal of spiritual protocol as we know it in the Holy Bible and this is a subordination of spiritual authority of Priesthood to the temporal powers of the President.

Indeed the President needs to be careful in his new found vocation. His decision in the coming weeks will determine if Nigerians have a President who shares the yearnings and aspirations of all Nigerians irrespective of tribe or religion or a leader who quickly retreats into his religious or ethnic enclave to achieve transient political gains. This is not exemplary leadership and clearly not the mind of Christ.

PAGE 46 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 16, 2014

Governor Obi's last days in the office VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF The legacies of the outgoing Anambra governor

I

F the Constitution has allowed for third term in office, many Anambrarians would have opted for Governor Peter Obi to continue in office.

But as his tenure is bound to expire on March 16, words of praise for the gover nor ’s numerous programs have continued to flow. Most of the projects that were thought to be abandoned during the last eight years are now simultaneously being constructed. Even at the famous Ziks/Borromew Round about, extensive reconstruction, redesigning and rebuilding works are in progress. Zik muselonium has come to stay and is beautiful. In Onitsha central metropolis, more than 20 urban roads are being reconstructed simultaneously, including the popular Nkisi Aroli

In education Obi, through a carefully thought out reform, embarked on the reconstruction of almost all the schools in the state

,

automatically to the wishes of some elder states men as he had done when he was first elected.

There is another plausible version of this story. On his future role in politics, he ruled out contesting for political office even as speculation ran wild and he said he does not contemplate party switch.

In his home town, Agulu, in Anaocha Local Government Area, Obi is revered – a signpost read, ‘ we are proud of our son.

His late mother was described as a generous, self effacing and religious woman who sacrificed for her children. His concern for close friends and relations was

IFEANYI UBA: A case study for Nigerian politicians VIEWPOINT

BY OMIFE I. OMIFE

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF

Another look at the Anambra gubernatorial poll

T

HE last gubernatorial election in Anambra State has come and gone while majority of Nigerian have come to see post-election tribunals as part of the ritual of election rigging.

Be that as it may, one thing has stood out clear and unmistakable with regard to the Anambra election and that is that it has thrown up a new vista of hope in the future of Nigerian politics in terms of honesty and sincerity of purpose in seeking the mandate of leadership as against the usual mad rush to grab a bite at the people’s commonwealth which has been a clear and evident motivation of political office seekers in our country.

This new hope for a new political culture in Nigeria is clearly reflected in the person of Ifeanyi Uba in both his pre and

post-election manifestations which showed a distinctiveness of action, reaction and general approach to political ambition that so glaringly and admirably isolated him from the rest of his rivals and aspirants to the governorship of the state.

Right from the moment of his expression of interest to contest the governorship, Ubah became a target of all sorts of intrigue and mischief by his rivals who rightly perceived his enormous financial resources and honesty of purpose as a veritable threat. This led to sponsored conspiracies and legal actions involving some of his business associates in a desperate bid to stop him from contesting the election but which all failed, thus further crystallizing Uba’s unblemished record as a businessman and now a politician.

Very significantly, while the intrigues lasted and the campaigns came on stream, his detractors never ceased to call him all sorts of names bordering on character defamation, even outright libel. Yet, Ifeanyi Uba, very like Jesus of old, kept his

cool, never retaliated and never went beyond issues to talk or attack the persons of his opponents. Some of his overzealous campaign handlers who took it upon themselves to reply on his behalf in the manner against his principle were summarily dismissed. Can you imagine!

While his rivals went full scale creating and mobilizing all manner of political vanguards, alias thugs ahead of the elections, and indulging in multiple voting registrations, Uba made do with ordinary Labour Party card carrying citizens of Anambra State enlisted in communities and wards across the state with a stern standing order to his campaign directors against multiple registration of party members and enlistment of thugs under any guise, much to the consternation and disenchantment of many of them who felt Uba was living a fool’s paradise of political ambition.

While his opponents were making secret overtures to top officials of INEC for the purpose of manipulation of results, Uba distanced himself from such

Sylvester Monye @55: The Joshua of Delta VIEWPOINT

BY OBARO OBRU EGBORO

TRIBUTE IN BRIEF Celebrating a presidential aide on his birthday

P

ROFESSOR Sylvester Monye an effulgent personality needs no introduction since he is currently the Special Adviser to President Jonathan on performance monitoring and evaluation of ministries, departments and agencies. This quintessential Special Adviser has a long garnished political career and beacons of achievements in

his work career with an impressive profile that is intimidating and suffocating in all ramifications. He was the Pioneer Secretary of NADECO in the fiery days of the Abacha military fiefdom, a smack of rare courage and passion of patriotism for an erudite scholar of international repute. This intellectually ebullient Special Adviser represents the face of the 21st century politics of Nigeria and our future leaders have one or two lessons to learn from him.

He was born 55years ago, precisely on March 4, 1959 to the family of the Monyes of OnichaUgbo, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.

After all the basic education in

Nigeria, he proceeded overseas to the universities at Stratecyde, South Bank and Bremen, in Glasgow, London and Germany respectively where he obtain various qualifications ranging from MBA, MSc to PHD and also had a teaching career in these universities. He is an example of an astute administrator and a technocrat in fashioning out policies and reforms to provide the required compass for inclusive transformational growth of the Nigerian economy.

Before he was appointed SA by President Jonathan, he had to his credit a web of appointments and positions as Secretary, National Planning Commission and

,

BY CLETUS C. OKEREKE

Street which is very close to Obi of Onitsha’s domain. In GRA section of town, where town houses of wealthy people are overlooking Nkisi river and mountain, the rehabilitated roads now make the entire area almost like heavenly abode. To our greatest surprise, none of the streets in the city has adopted Obi’s name. He never wanted it, he has a strong conviction that no living politician should have anything named after him while he is alive. The popular Iweka Road / Ochanja Roundabout is also earmarked for reconstruction.

Words of praise flow for Obi. He was praised by a resident as a young man of astonishing depth and maturity who has used long acquired business acumen to industrialize and develop his state. The resident said Anambra is no longer to be ruled by people with outmoded ideas. We now look up to Obi’s successor, Dr. Obiano, whose colleagues in the last election concede defeat even before the polls closed. He would be guided by Governor Obi’s land mark achievements. Obi said he would no longer defer

,

VIEWPOINT

always evident.

When Obi assumed office in 2006, he made it clear that industrialization of the state and agriculture will be the focus of his administration. Today that dream has been realized. When next you visit Onitsha, visit Sabina Breweries, makers of Hero Beer, Hero Malt and assorted drinks. It is jointly owned with South Africa world class brewery. It employs over 50,000 workers of different categories. Quite recently another joint venture with a foreign company was flagged off at Ozubulu in Ekwusigo Local Government. The factory when completed is estimated to employ up to 20,000 workers and it is hoped that beverage of all kinds would be produced there.

In education Obi, through a carefully thought out reform, embarked on the reconstruction of almost all the schools in the state. He built and equipped libraries, new dormitory blocks, donated computers to all the schools in the state. He doled out millions of naira (I think N10,000m) to every school in the state to improve children welfare in addition to school buses. On health, the governor refurbished hospitals and equipped them. He now raised the salaries of

Right from day one of his decision to contest the governorship, Uba made it clear he was not going into the contest as a do or die affair

,

unholy practices even though he had the financial wherewithal to lobby even the top most echelon of the electoral umpire. The elections proper confirmed these unscrupulous deals with INEC officials as evidenced in the police arrest of one of its top most officers. Ditto for the local government elections.

Right from day one of his decision to contest the governorship, Uba made it clear he was not going into the contest as a do or die affair but purely and solely to salvage the common citizen of Anambra State from long but avoidable state of social and economic hardship, using his wealth of business experience and global connections to create a new wealth base hinged on industrialization and creation of employment opportunities for the youths.

National Economic Council; Director, Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation; Director, International relations, Ministry of Finance; Board Director (BOI and FIRS); Governor for Nigeria on Board of OPEC Fund for International Development, and Board member, National Hospital Management Board.

There is no doubt the Uduaghan administration like the Biblical Moses is laying transformational growth catalysts to engineer a Delta state without oil and it will take a fellow who understands the pivotal roles of these institutional growth catalysts to manage same.

This is where we need Monye a clone of the Biblical Joshua who is very vast and highly experienced in transformational growth policies and

doctors, nurses, all health personnel and now there are no more strikes, ambulances are available in most hospitals.

Some have since been upgraded to teaching hospitals and nursing schools.

On city cleaning – most cities now wear new look as casual workers, labourers are everywhere to make the streets clean. Higher institutions are not left out. He gave grants of millions of naira to Tansian University, Madonna University and St. Paul’s University, all in Anambra State.

Recently, Obi set up a transition committee to oversee a smooth handover of power to the governor-elect. Most of the members of the committee are trusted academicians, professionals and career civil servants who rose to the apex of their careers. Among them are Prof. Dora Akunyili, former Minister of Information and Director General, NAFDAC and Prof. Stella Okunna, Chief of Staff and Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget and Head of MDGS. With these, all the issues likely to hinder a smooth transmission would be addressed.

* Okereke is a political commentator .

At the end of the day, he ‘lost’ while the election was awarded to the old brigades and their old styles to the initial vehemence of Ifeanyi Uba who felt certain as most other people in Nigeria felt that the election was rigged and threatened to go to court. At the same time, he discovered that he had been a victim of political betrayal by some of his most trusted allies, nay erstwhile friends who connived with his opponents to manipulate the elections against him.

After he had sufficiently and loudly voiced out his nonacceptance of the veracity of the election result, and vowed to contest it in court, he went ahead to demonstrate the most noble and admirable political actions in the history of Nigerian politics by his decision to let the sleeping dog lie and restraining from further legal course of action and leave everything to God. What a man! And what a great lesson for Nigerian politicians.

One thing is clear. The people of Anambra State can now see the clear difference between those who truly want to serve and those who truly want to enslave them.

Time shall tell. Tomorrow is another day.

implementation. He is presently an asset to the Federal Government, hence the need to bring home this Joshua to continue from where Uduaghan will be disengaging.

The out pour of felicitations on Monye as he celebrated his twin number 55years birthday are reflections and testimonies of his general acceptance as the Biblical Joshua for 2015.The Federal Government has benefitted from his wealth of experience over the years; it is high time Delta State does the same.

*Egboro is President, Down2 Earth Network (nongovernmental initiative) earthdownto126@yahoo.com 08023303339, sms only

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 16, 2014, PAGE 47

Mama Caroline Akin-Deko @ 90

BY FOLU OLAMITI

TRIBUTE IN BRIEF The MotherTheresa of our time!

M

OTHER Theresa with her heart of gold helped to decode and define what true love and care stand for. Caring for others was her code of living, and that made her world renown. I see no difference between Mother Theresa and Chief (Mrs.) Caroline Ebun Akin-Deko who I fondly call Mummy. She literally groomed me and other children who she did not bear into adulthood and greatness. A good mother to adore at all times, mama’s heart for love and care is simply legendary.

Mama is now 90! She has aged gracefully by my conviction.

Today comes with an opportunity to reflect on those memorable days and years when I grew up under her tutelage, all along imbued with the discipline, sense

of humility, hard work and forthrightness which she imparted into me and other children she nurtured.

I would have regarded my self as an ingrate on failure to tell the world how this wonderfully blessed woman made me who I am today, just by virtue of being a cousin to my uncle, late Chief Gabriel Akin-Deko; a politician and diplomat of note. I became a member of Akin-Deko’s family through that link during my growing up days.

It all started when I left Idanre; my rusty and rocky hometown on January 6, 1970 for Ibadan. My mission was to look for a job after earning a Higher School Certificate at Ilesa Grammar School, Ilesa in Osun State. I had obtained permission from my revered catechist father, the late Mr. Daniel Akinseye Olamiti, for the trip outside home. With that, I could not help imagine getting prosperous one day to be able to support him after retirement and in old age.

I arrived Ibadan to the warmth

,

VIEWPOINT

Now, casting a look back those memorable years gives me a feeling of the nostalgia and the importance of parental mentoring to children which I savoured to the fullest from mummy

,

embrace of an imposing building of my uncle situated by the precinct of the Liberty Stadium.

I did not meet my uncle when I arrived. He had embarked on one of his numerous official trips abroad. Mummy who I met for the first time gave me a warm welcome.

Mummy helped me into the house with my luggage and took me to a room, then occupied by my late cousin Kolawole AkinDeko. “You will be sharing the room with your cousin”, she said.

From then on, Kola and I shared

the same bed for years! Kola had a look that was quite deceptive.

His natural calmness portrayed him as an easygoing person. Far from it! He was the most egregious, outgoing and extroverted person I had ever known. He was strong willed and every bit a radical. A village boy that I was almost learnt how to be a little crook by the endless antics I learnt from Kola on selfeffusiveness.

An incident I will not forget occurred one Friday, when Kola insisted we must attend a friend’s disco party. We had to sneak out in my uncle’s Mercedes car WD 606 by quietly pushing it out from the garage. We returned home in the wee hour of the day. Then, Mummy’s shrilling voice greeted us instantly. We knew we were in soup. Apart from giving us knocks on the head, she tongue lashed us very thoroughly with a punishment of missing two vital meals.

I discovered later that I was not the only relation who was housed at the Liberty Lodge. There were ten of us from Idanre and Owo. All the same, I seemed to be the only one showered with preferential treatments by

A Mandate for the New Chairman of S/East Governors’ Forum

BY GODWIN ADINDU

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF

An agenda for the leadership of a geo-political zone

I

must say, as of truth, that though I am gifted with the discerning spirit, I am not a seer.

I do not see visions. But, by mere intuition and critical thinking, I am able to scan my environment , discern the movement of time and make projections. Few months ago, I was inspired to set the agenda for Governor Theodore Orji’s leadership of the South-east geo-political zone. I came to the agenda with empirical argument and pointing at the new progressive climate that came with the liberation of Abia.

After challenging the popular belief that the Igbo, by their peculiar republican nature, are incapable of creating a central leadership or coming under one horizontal form of power control like the North and the West, I hit the nail: that by the evidence of his trajectory in the corridors of power, the Ochendo Abia remains the quintessential

symbol of the South-east regional leadership. Today, the governors, in their own independent wisdom, have corroborated my position and vindicated my agenda. Last weekend, they unanimously elected Orji as the new chairman of the South-east Governors’ Forum. Kudos to Ochendo!

This, indeed, is a happy development. Reason is that the forum is now a good pressure instrument and a credible platform for agitation. It has become a strong force for regional representation at the centre. There is no gainsaying the fact that the ethics of the game of power revolves around interest.

Thus, the onus now lies on Orji to tactically negotiate the stake of the zone in the Jonathan presidency. He must be able to weigh the options critically in the unfolding politics of 2015 and proceed to the negotiating table with a well-articulated demand.

Indeed, by sheer dint of hard work and achievement, Orji has emerged as the new credible face of the South-east and a symbol of true leadership. The headship of the governors’ forum is both an honour and a vindication to diligent work. Orji is now standing on a pedestal where he

must look beyond Umuahia to see the entire region as his constituency and as one territory and then seek to replicate his pragmatic work in the entire zone or at least lead the action that will culminate into a complete climate change for the zone.

Before now, Orji has been setting the agenda for the regional re-integration of the entire South-east. The governor has long moved beyond Abia to invest energy on a programme of regional integration, with the argument of harnessing the regional abundances which were the glories of those regions in the past.

More than ever before, Orji must understand the dynamics of strategy and apply this useful tool in his permutations for the development of the region. The issues are: what are the expectations of the South- east in the current Nigerian project?

What are the critical issues of development that will bring about a spiral chain of improvement in peoples’ lives?

The general movement towards a block support for Jonathan’s candidacy by the South-east clearly amounts to a temporary suspension of the time-honoured demand for the

Ndoma-Egba: The rise of a Senate Leader VIEWPOINT

BY UBI ODEN

TRIBUTE IN BRIEF The difference between a statesman and a politician

T

HE Senate Leader, in many democracies, exerts a lot of influence; and, to a very large extent, how much the Senate functions in its role of giving stability to the political process depends heavily on the character of the person holding the position.

As much influential as the Senate Leader is, not quite much has been heard of the occupier of that office in Nigeria, of course with the exception of the Second Republic when Dr. Olusola

Saraki, now of blessed memory, created a niche for himself from the position of the Senate Leader.

A lot of people knew Saraki as a consummate politician. But he was a scientist too.

And, perhaps, a combination of politics and science provided the alchemy that made it possible for the late Saraki to excel as Senate Leader.

The incumbent Senate Leader is Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba.

Like Saraki, Ndoma-Egba is also a consummate politician. And he is a lawyer. Indeed, he remains the first senator to be honoured with the prestigious title of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) while in the Senate.

Ndoma-Egba’s brilliant legal perspectives have been of tremendous help in smoothening

the executive-legislature relations, and, by extension, creating substantial stability in the political process.

By legislative procedure, the Senate Leader is an advisor to the presiding officer anytime the Senate is in session. Because the Senate Leader is in a vantage position to have a better understanding to the background of the business of the day, part of his job is to advise the presiding officer on such business of the day and the prevailing disposition of other senators to any such bill or deliberation.

By this estimate, it is an undeniable fact that NdomaEgba has held fast the belts of the Senate since he was appointed into the position in 2011.

The relative stability

,

VIEWPOINT

More than ever before, Orji must understand the dynamics of strategy and apply this useful tool in his permutations for the development of the region

,

Nigerian president of Igbo extraction. Should this be the case given the present circumstances, the governors should be able to trade that ambition for a handsome and befitting reward. For the governors, the negotiation must go beyond a return of their mandate to an altruistic demand for the greatest good for a greatest number of Ndigbo.

There is still the need to balance the post-war, orchestrated marginalization of the South-east in the distribution and allocation of national resources and in political appointments.

There is a new global trend in symbolic leadership epitomized

obtainable in the workings of the Senate is a testimonial to the prodigy of Ndoma-Egba as a reliable advisor to presiding officers of the Senate, and, more importantly, as a Senate Leader who can effectively aggregate the minds of his fellow senators.

Back home in his Cross River Central senatorial district, Ndoma-Egba has been changing the landscape considerably.

The African Development Bank sponsored –Enugu-AbakalikiIkom Trans-African Highway corridor which he initiated has opened up the district to influx of commercial activities in neighbouring states. The World Bank intervention on the IkomOgoja Road has also re-opened access between Cross River Central and Cross River North.

The Specialist Hospital in Ikom, the Calabar –Oban-Nsan-

mummy’s magnanimity. I ate on the dining table with her biological children, went to church and prayed daily with them. I was fully integrated into Akin-Deko’s family.

Now, casting a look back those memorable years gives me a feeling of the nostalgia and the importance of parental mentoring to children which I savoured to the fullest from mummy. It is hard to conclude that she was really not my biological mother, given her warmth approach, and the equal treatments she gave to all the children under her care. I have every reason to be grateful to God for making me to under go years of tutelage from the Mother Theresa of our time.

Mama, may you continue to live your full life in good health.

From your own testimony, you have asked; “Who is this FAVOUR?” FAVOUR is just one of the attributes of the ALL SUFFICIENT GOD who has made today possible and given me the confidence to face all my tomorrow.”

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUMMY!!!

•Oladiti is of the ICPC by the revolution of Orji in cleansing the Augean stable in Abia. By virtue of his achievements and the loud echo that resonates with his personhood, Orji fits perfectly into the global outlook of modern leadership. As a seasoned administrator, he has a clean record and a credible pedigree.

The new chairman is a veteran of wars. He has led a successful revolution that has changed the face of Abia through his infrastructural renewal project.

He has proven to be a true patriot and therefore a very credible candidate for leadership in the emerging community called the nation. Well-read, well-groomed, he is a comfortable bridge that could intersect for the sophistication of the emerging world. He has demonstrated good appreciation of the dynamics of the Igbo spirit and this is a milestone for a group with a history of individualism.

By the new office, Orji is now the burden-bearer of the lot of the Igbo. His testimonial of good governance seems to proclaim: Here is a man who has come to conquer!

•Adindu is the Presidentgeneral of the Abia Renaissance Movement (ARM).

Ajassor Road, the multiplicity of MDG projects are some of the g r o u n d b r e a k i n g accomplishments which have endeared Ndoma-Egba to his constituents.

The recent outreach to farmers in Cross-River Central to help local farmers increase their output is also worthy of mention.

As a beneficiary myself, I will record Ndoma-Egba’s noblest achievement to be his scholarship scheme which has given thousands of people in Cross River State the opportunity to have education.

Ndoma-Egba is not a politician; he is a statesman and his legacies will abide for a long time, not only in Cross-River Central, but also in the bigger picture of politics in Nigeria.

•Oden lives in Ugep.

P AGE 48—SUND AY Vanguard , MARCH 16 , 2014 SUNDA

bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

08056180152,

SMS only

'My nosey-parker mum told hubby about my affair!'

W

HEN you live in a close-knit environment, gossip spreads like a forest fire. So when I began an affair, it wasn’t long before word of my infidelity got around,” confessed Ene, a 42-year-old lawyer who lives on one of the estates on Lagos Island. “Within weeks, friends were confronting me and accusing me with justification? - of being selfish and immoral. There was one person however, who was oblivious to my antics. They say a spouse is always the last to know when they are being betrayed. Boyede, my then husband of 15 years was unaware of my duplicity.

“He had not realised that when I claimed to be having meals with friends, I was actually slipping off for illicit tryst with Gordon, a fellow lawyer I’d met on a private job we did together.

And he would never have known the truth if someone else hadn’t confronted him with it. He was told by the one person in the world I’d expected would carry my secret to her grave - my mother. I still remember every detail of the day when I discovered Mum had not only betrayed my deepest confidence in the most thoughtless way, but had thrown my marriage into turmoil.

“I’d been on a job outside town for a few days and had to switch off my phone to prevent being distracted. When I turned it on the next day,. I had scores of missed calls and texts. ‘Your mother has told Boyede about Gordon. He knows everything,’ was the first one I read sent by a close friend on our estate. The shock and alarm I felt were surpassed by an even more potent emotion, hatred for Mum for her treachery. I was also perplexed. Why did she do it? It wasn’t as if mum

and I had been at odds.

On the contrary, she had always been my confidant and closest friend.

She lives in a much bigger house on the estate, so we saw from time to time and I handled all the legal end of her business, supplying hospital equipments.

“Her marriage to my dad ended when I was 12 because she had an affair and dad couldn’t handle the scandal, so it was like history repeating itself. She had showered her two children with love and kindness, but in that instant, I believed she was devil incarnate. Especially when I realised there was no text from her. No message of regret or explanation. Not a word to explain why she had chosen to throw a hand grenade into my marriage.

Within minutes, Boyede called. HQ, was boiling with rage. ‘Your mother has told me everything, you slut!’ he shouted. ‘I don’t love you any more,’ I yelled back. Then he wanted to know every shameful detail.

“The irony of it all was that my heady six-month affair with Gordon was heading for the rocks.

He’d met someone younger, unencumbered

Y

OUR column to express your loving thoughts in words to your sweetheart. Don’t be shy. Let it flow and let him or her know how dearly you feel.

Write now in not more than 75 words to: The Editor, Sunday Vanguard, P.M.B. 1007, Apapa, Lagos. E.mail: sunlovenotes@yahoo.com Please mark your envelope: “LOVE NOTES"

You are all I ever needed!

When I first saw you, you took my breath away.

When you first talked to me, I couldn't think. When

by a husband and children and had decided to discard me for her. So I’d been exposed as an adultress by my mother just as my affair with someone I thought I loved - a man with whom I was irrationally and hopelessly besotted - was ending. Before your readers dismiss me as immoral and shameless, I need to explain how we’d got to this point. I’d met and fallen in love with Boyede when we were both undergraduates. He had other girlfriends however, but I pursued him especially when Mum dismissed him as not being in our league of the wellheeled. This only made me more intent on being with him.

“By the time we got married a few years later, I had qualms about marrying him. He and I had become more like brother and sister. On the first night of our honeymoon in Britain paid for by Mum, he went off with a group of friends to a party. This set the tone for our married life. Our sex life was getting more and more disappointing.

“By the time we’d had the three children of the marriage, Boyede, who

was not exactly burdened by paternal responsibility had changed jobs twice and was now working for Mum. In spite of that, he was not emotionally supportive nor was he a good provider. Then I met Gordon. He was the same age as me and had the same background as me.

He’d needed legal assistance about his divorce and I gave him my number. For months, we had an ‘emotional affair’, chatting every day on the phone for hours. I shared confidences with him about my failing marriage and we discussed the children, laughing and sympathising together.

He seemed caring while my husband was needy and distant.

“Inevitably, our relationship became sexual.

We met for lunch and he invited me to his new ‘bachelor pad’. We quickly ended up in bed.

Hours later, I floated home. For the first time in decades, I felt alive.

My affair consumed me.

I became adept at deception. I lied to Boyede that I was seeing friends. If he was suspicious, he did not let on. My best friend was angry. ‘Your behaviour is outrageous,’ she scolded. I told her I’d fallen in love with

you asked me out, I couldn't respond. When you touched me, I got shivers all through my spine, and when we first kissed, I floated away in my dreams.

It's magic each time we hold each other, each time we cuddle, and each time we kiss. I feel goose bumps all over again. I never want to let you go for fear of losing you. So, I just hold on a little bit tighter each day, refusing to let go. You never know the warmth I feel inside me when I'm with you. You're all I ever needed!

Janet N. Obianyor, Abuja, 08032349037 My Dearest,

Goodbye, my love

Goodbye, my love, the object of my fury!

Opening this door may bring me peace.

Of you, my rage has been both judge and jury,

Gordon and she told me he was a well-known serial adulterer. But lust made a fool of me. I was convinced I had a future with him. And this is when I confessed to my mother. I told her my marriage was as good as over and I was in love.

She advised I couldn’t go on deceiving Boyede. If I were certain Gordon was the one. That I should tell Boyede the truth. But I couldn’t bear to think of the row that would ensue if I confessed. In the end it was mum who broke the news.

“As soon as I returned from my trip, I marched into her office in a rage.

‘Why did you tell him?’ I shrieked. ‘I had no choice,’ she said. ‘He came to see me and was very upset. He suspected you. The whole estate knew what was going on.

I had to put him out of his misery.’ She was indignant. She said she couldn’t understand my furry, that she was merely obeying a motherly instinct. I told her she should have directed her motherly instincts towards me rather than her son-in-law. In fairness to her, though her marriage had ended because of her infidelity, I don’t believe she was trying to end mine because I’d been unfaithful. Typical of her highhandedness, she was always prone to opening her month before engaging her brain. But this time, she’d gone too far!

“I was so enraged that I resigned as one of her executive directors and concentrated fully on my business. For a year, I ceased all communications with her, but since Boyede still worked for her, she saw her grandchildren as often as she wanted.

Inevitably, Boyede and I parted ways. A few months later, I had a big job to do away from Lagos. I was in-be-

tween house-helps and had to ask Mum if I could bring the kids to stay with her. She agreed straight away and when I went to drop the kids, the conversation was polite. There was no recrimination on either side - neither was there any reference to our estrangement. Then she threw her arms round me and told me she’d always be there for me. “lt was all I could do not to have a breakdown because weeks before, Gordon had sent an abrupt and cruel e-mail telling me our affair was over. It was then I realised that all my friends were right - he was not worth grieving over.

“Since that day two years ago, Mum and I have built bridges. I know she was not being cruel when she told Boyede about my affair. I know too that she paid a price for that - some of my friends were on my side and avoided her at parties.

“I acted out of compassion for Boyede! Mum defended herself when we eventually got round to discussing my affair. “I didn’t have any desire for vengeance, I just told the truth. I didn’t imagine I would become persona non grata, the lowest of the low. It was a real nightmare to be estranged from you, who I love so much. I’m glad we’re back together again?

“Unfortunately our previously affectionate relationship has changed.

I’m much more guarded with her and there is still an unresolved tension between us. Her disloyalty will always come between us. Both of us are afraid that if we discuss her betrayal it would lead to an almighty row. So we danced around the subject. I know I can’t blame my mother for the failure of my marriage. It was ailing anyway. She just helped push it over the edge ... “

Determined not to grant you your release.

Be well, my love! I hope you find a lover You can deceive. For me, there'll be no other, Except all hearts be pure and lying cease.

Emma Mine 07051037749 Delta State

Our love

Our love is an inward thing that inhabits the very depth of our being.

It has an undercurrent of passion which is filled with an undivided love and affection that would stretch beyond eternity. It carried a happy promise of things to come and a lifetime of sharing.

Akachukwu Ferdinand.

08063819314

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 16, 2014, PAGE 49

08112662589

Glan granny looking for romance at 60!

A

S soon as Timi came through the door of the roaring party, all eyes were on her. Not because of her beauty of course. I’m sure if her mum were alive, she would be the last to call her pretty. But she’s always been very successful in her career and, as soon as the current managing director of the firm she’s worked with for decades retired, she was next in line. A divorced mother of two, she’d paraded a string of men of means since her divorce. Only, after a few years of courtship and using her to get favours from her numerous contacts, they ’d dumped her. But like its said, there was always another man in the wings, ready to promise her lasting friendship.

And the incurable romantic she’s always been, she always fell for their glib tongues.

So, who was this man that now walked through the door with her, towering above her and looking incredibly handsome?

Surely he couldn’t be another lucky ‘find’ of hers?

By the time they’d hung around for the best part of an hour, words were out they were lovers. His name was Andy, an engineer who had a successful business abroad. The icing on the cake for Timi was his being a divorce - he’d been

single for as long as Timi had, and if things went the way they planned, he would be right there by her side as her husband when she would be confirmed her firm’s new managing director.

All these facts came months later of course, as friends were dealt blowby-blow reports on the progress of the romance.

I was a bit anxious about Timi who always wore her heart on her sleeve. So when I ran into her a few months before her expected promotion, I tried to hint she should take this new relationship of hers with a shovel-full of salt. “What do you mean?”, she flared. “I’ve known Andy a long time you know! And we’d dated briefly in the past.

It was providence that made us meet again on an international flight. Now we stay in each other ’s houses whenever either of us travelled. Even when he’s away on business, I could always let myself into his flat as I have extra set of keys.

“You of all people should be happy for me Candy! After all the adventurous users I’d been involved with, I’ve finally met a genuine man who wants to marry me!”

Marriage? That was a new twist to the tale. Timi is a glan gran of over 60

who has three grandchildren. Tell me, what sane man with a supposedly good job gets married to an over 60? Experience had thought me to keep my mouth shut whenever anyone I tried to counsel mentions love. No matter what is said, they seldom listen.

“And he’s a stud too,” she breathed. “For the first time since I kicked my no-good husband out, I finally found a man who is free to parade me as his partner. And he’s taken the investment side of my life under his wings. We have some profitable projects we’re currently involved with .... “ Warning bells started clanging, but I kept my mouth shut. When

it comes to business deals, Timi is as ruthless, as they come. Thanks to her business connection, she’s made a lot of mind-bugling deals and has impressive property to show for it. Who knew what other profitable doors this Andy wonder could open for her?

Friends were preparing a few congratulatory parties for her promotion when the bubble burst.

Andy had disappeared!

“What do you mean disappeared?” I asked the friend who broke the news as if she was actually glad Timi had met her comeuppance. “That crafty rogue bided his time,” she explained. “For close to

two years, he spent a lot of money and lavished attention on her; gave her mind bugling sex and introduced her to his four children as their step-mum.

The crunch came when Andy informed Timi of a property currently going for a song in Britain. They could both buy the property and turn it into mini bed-sits for single tenants.

Timi fell for the impressive e-mail he sent her, showing all the property’s features, what they both could do with it and how much they would be raking in when the bedsits were eventually let. He even made it possible for her to speak with the estate agents.

“His firm would handle the reconstruction so they could save a few pennies.

Our love-struck aunty fell for it. She sent in thousands of pounds as downpayments and later flew down to see the progress being made at reconstruction. The builder was quite helpful too, answering all the questions Timi wanted answers to. She was so impressed, she sent in more money. That was when Andy stopped all contact with her. She couldn’t believe it. She travelled out and hurried down to his house but all the locks had been changed and none of the neighbours knew where to find him. She was

still making frantic enquiries about his whereabouts when he sent her a text he was in hospital and seriously ill. He would get in touch as soon as he felt better.

“When next Timi visited their building site, the rubles were still there with no workers. On inquiry, she was told it was council property. Furiously, she tried to get hold of Andy with no luck. In the end she got hold of one of his daughters who didn’t look shocked at what her dad just did. ‘He does it all the time,’ she said, looking at Timi with pity.

Timi begged her to ask Andy to get in touch or she would use all her connections to destroy him when next he showed up in Nigeria. ‘Why don’t you do just that?’ Andy challenged when he called a few days later.

‘I’ve just left the hospital after paying hefty bills from the venereal disease you gave me. You say any nasty thing about me and I would let the world know what a disease riddled trollop you are!’

Needless to say, that was the end of discussion leaving our glan gran with no romance, no prospective husband and a chunk of her savings gone, but happy to stiII have a job!

08052201867(Text Only)

Revitalise your fatigued body through exercise

E

VEN the journey home has contrib uted its share in the overall tiredness of the work day. What with all the anxiety over the slowmoving traffic.

Once home you probably go straight to the kitchen for a snack or collapse into a chair for some television viewing. You are just too tired.

Now, just as there is the need to start off the day with energy-releasing exercises so there is the need to wind down after work.

A fruit to assuage hunger while dinner gets ready is okay. What will not do is a poor combination of food groups which will only put even more stress on your back and exhaust you even more. Another thing, digestion is not helped when eating is done while one is nervous or excited. We must always try to induce a feeling of calmness in ourselves before settling down for a meal.

For some people a little vigorous exercise does the C M Y K

good job of dispelling work-time worries and providing a new burst of energy. For those not in the mood for energetic workouts, some stretches like the plough pose, the headto-knee pose which rely mainly on the forces of gravity - such that all you do is assume the posture, take it easy and breathe.

No one is asking you to be a Jumping Jack Flash for fifteen minutes. A little mercy on your fatigued

body.

But I tell you what. You will be sweetly surprised to find out that simple mild stretching exercises like those mentioned are improving the way you look and feel. And the practice of the dead man’s pose, for say fifteen minutes after these exercises will spell astonishing repose of body and mind.

The practice of proper winding down will even set up the body for a good

*Exercise for the small of the back

night’s sleep. Or you will find you are not too tired to tango as the case may be!

What stretching does for you * Stress relief: In a difficult situation your body resorts to the ‘fight of flight’ response, contracting muscles in readiness. The situation gets over but you forget to relax the muscles.

Gradually, this tenseness to stress becomes the norm so that you do not even notice that you are tense. With tension there is a restriction in movement and a loss of youthful agility. * More energy: In contraction muscles cost you a lot of energy. Once you learn to replace contraction with relaxation of your muscles you save energy for better things. * Improve your digestion: Your internal organs are held in place by muscles. When your muscles are well-toned, they provide better support thereby assisting the functioning of all vital organs. * Better your body tone: Muscles work in antagonistic pains, when one is contracted the other is relaxed. When a muscle is always tensed the antagonist becomes flaccid and bulgy resulting in undesirable physical distortions such as

a bulging belly and thighs and sagging bottom. Relax tensed muscles and the flaccid ones will have a chance to tone-up and your overall body tone will improve. * Return of youth grace: With a toning up of weak muscles and getting rid of extraneous muscle tension there is an improvement in the alignment of your skeletal system. This improved posture means you move with a lot more grace and ease. Here is a ‘hump’ and ‘dip’ exercise for the small of the back.

Kneel down with the hand

on the floor without moving the body forward or backward, breathe in dipping the waist till the small of the back is hollow and at the same time raise your head. Breathing out raise the waist drawing in the stomach and dropping the head. Repeat consecutively 4 to 5 times. While you sit on the heels lean forward and support the head on the fists, placed one on the other.

Never you neglect the condition of your spine.

Keep it supple and flexible - always.

*Exercise for the small of the back

Yoga classes STARTED at 32 Adetokunbo Ademola, Victoria Island, Lagos, 9.10am on Saturdays

PAGE 50 — SUNDAY

Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014 — PAGE 51

PAGE 52, SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014

C M Y K

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014 — PAGE 53

A day of gory tales at the US consulate E

,,

By ADEWALE ADEOYE

VERY upsetting creation has its own odd value, though. This blus tery morning, it was a huge rat hurdling in the bathroom that thankfully stirred me from the bottom of deep sleep.

Time was 4am, the hour Lagos would be in slumber, but applicants seeking the US visa that day had to be on their feet: Some came with little children, some with breastsucking infants; some on wheel chairs, some in the last days of their pregnancy, some moribund, with fatal illnesses but able to trudge. Some were punks, seeking cheap escape from the awful economy.

Some with frivolous claims, but not to outcast those with genuine judgment. For many Nigerians, undying impressions about US and her civil image would not come through sumptuous dinners with the ambassador, which they are unlikely to have, but rather through the mandatory come across with the temper or idiosyncrasies of an interviewing officer usually caged behind a steel glass, leaving visual and audio pin-holes as the only means of contact with locals. The five torment hours of this reporter revealed the raw nightmares of Nigerians, rich or poor, armed or defenseless, royals and peasants. In the past, I had appeared courtesy of the United Nations’ invitation to speak on indigenous issues and also subsequently as a guest speaker on self-determination at international Yoruba conferences, and therefore, ‘robbed’ of the piercing grief.

This Friday, some came from remote towns and villages, from crisis torn Yobe State to far off Calabar to meet the largely irreversible visa appointments, traveling several of kilometers. Even in this odd hour, at the office located in down town Lagos, overlooking a long stretch of splashing and clapping sea, sometimes mixed with the faint, harmonious chorus of crickets and frogs, hundreds of applicants already milled in the shadow of the dwindling darkness. Many had slept on bare floor, and had their bath or defecate in the adjoining bait of the roaring sea. I thought: history is never static. The old is pregnant with the new and the new contains elements of the old. Barely 300 years ago, our forebears who were taken into slavery against their wish, would not have imagined their great grandchildren would battle, out of their own volition, to seek passage to the land that degraded them and which they had detested.

Those olden times, they were forcefully hurled into waiting ships, tied in beastly rolls, their lips padlocked, after red-hot iron had been pierced through their lips. At gun point, they were coerced to quit their culture and leave behind their timeless heritage, never to be recalled. In defiance, some jumped into the ocean and were eaten by wild sea animals, some were shot like

C M Y K

After the start whistle for the screening was blown, after 5am, a dutiful chocolate coloured lady announced the rules for applicants. A comic police guard rolls out the “dos” and “don’ts”, which included not bringing your “anointing oil” into the embassy chicken. They must have resisted, simply because they lived a better life in their lurch green tropical world, filled with contentment and a blissful chain of gleeful picturesque.

The rush to US, three centuries after the slave trade, is shocking; the scene appears to capture the grim picture that Africa was a better place for her people, 300 years ago, compared with Africa today. Imagine, the forebears resisted, but today, if a huge plane is brought to Nigeria, seeking people to work on slave plantations in the US, from what I see this Friday, certainly, millions would rush to be on board, voluntarily, even with stiffer chains and fetters of iron.

However, encounters of many visitors at the US consulate make them believe that though laws of slavery have been expunged, the mindset, that tiny invisible box, of some consuls, remains as it was four centuries ago. “What has changed is the form, not the content of slavery”, one dying applicant who sought medical attention in the US but whose visa was rejected told me that Friday. For one thing, the five-hour experience of this reporter left vestigial traces of repugnant memories of Nigerians as underdogs. It appears like a daily routine of trauma. One applicant who had three kids lined them up on the bait of a drainage near the embassy, all night long, for a 6.30 am appointment. For Ebong, he came in from Calabar, it was his third trip having missed the appointments in spite of an all- night agonizing bus travel, spanning 20 hours. Two of his cousins with their three kids perished few years ago on their way to a visa appointment.

As we snaked through the line, one dead beat ebony black pregnant woman was seen moaning through the horrific line of largely hopeless applicants, including some women, some of who had to be frisked by male security guards. Outside the embassy, there were no toilets; women and children are at the mercy of a dungeon-like pit, managed by thugs.

A young man told how a pregnant woman was raped near the on-looking, gibbering and furious beach.

After the start whistle for the screening was blown, after 5am, a dutiful chocolate coloured lady announced the rules for applicants. A comic police guard rolls out the “dos” and “don’ts”, which included not bringing your “anointing oil” into the embassy. But nothing could be so perplexing as the sometimes humiliating questions thrown at applicants, especially terrifying questions that infringe on the privacy of the individual and the dignity of the human person. For hundreds of thousands of Nigerians seeking the US visa for scientific research, ill health, human rights conferences, medicare, knowledge-driven events, securing the US visa has become as difficult as an elephant passing through the needle’s eye.

An Ekiti medical doctor at the point of death who needed medical attention abroad was denied last month, because he had “no tie” with his country. Ties are sometimes defined in economic terms, placed far above the family. Leader of the Coalition of Nigerian Right Groups (CONRIG) said his appearance was like passing through a “torture chamber.” At the end, the consular told him with ignominy to ‘go and apply for Visa lottery.”

He vowed never to apply for the US visa in his lifetime. Rasaq Olokooba of the Coalition of O’odua Self Determination Groups (COSEG) had a running battle reminding his questioner that he was going for a conference that promotes global security and his denial would amount to a classic case of betrayal against the cherished image of the US. The rules say you must have a fat account, suggesting that financial standing overrules the dignity and public reputation of the individual, a horrendous reminder of how the US appears to promote transient ethics at the expense of values that sustain humanity’s utilitarian grandeur. You should not have a relation in the US, meaning that you largely need to deny your own, since most Nigerians have relations in the US. One applicant once said an official almost hit him with her scorn when he asked him how many children he had and he said 12. Visa applications appear to be largely anti-children, as if every Nigerian would take their children abroad for auction or as if children do not have the right to free

movement. A source said black officials at the consulate are hardly allowed to go on holidays abroad with their offspring.

Another narrated she was questioned years back why she had another child when she was yet to wean her infant.

One first class Oba in Yorubaland told me he heard of new regulations that reject Obas submitting passports with their heads covered. It is a taboo for an Oba or king to leave his head open. Largely, it appears Nigerians are generally seen as dishonest, bruising the collective ego and hosting the boosting of generalization. All these must be hovering in the mind of this young white lady as she asked my companion, the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Human Rights Community (NHRC), astonishing questions quite out of the rules on paper. Her question was something like are you pregnant or “are you expecting a baby?” Astonished respondent answered “no.” She shot a wry smile, the kind of high interest smirk a bank staff lends a poor customer with less than two dollars in her account.

The next question could have been ‘when last did you have sex”, I thought. She drilled the activist if she had any medical ailment that she would wish to treat in the US. She was hot and flustered. She asked the couple to re-present their finger prints, “so as to double-check” if correct. The fingerprints had earlier been taken by an affectionate black lady consul. She wanted to “double check” as if the black staff ’s was fly-by-night.

As she ordered the retrial, a flux of contemptuous emotion clouded behind her violet eye balls, buried behind the steely glass, she then went into a flippant recession, flopping through the data page of the old passport, filled with several visas, ignoring the new passport. When she was reminded that she was not looking at the new passport, she said, trying to simulate affection: “What were you doing in the US for two months?” That was untrue. Obviously, she had not taken her time to study the in and out stamps. The reporter was in the US for few weeks, and then returned to the US again after two months for another four days. She then feigned her question was deliberate with a tint of haughty authority. She suddenly let loose the documents, as if they were an overblown piece of cow dung.

I thought she could shoot her questions, but spare her country’s flag, and stop painting a graffiti of shame and a blush of dishonor. At home, her child asked her, ‘mum, are you really pregnant?” For one thing, the Nigerian authority, considering the influx of applicants for the US visa, should know it is her responsibility to protect the dignity of her citizens applying for legitimate visit. Abuja should show interest in the way her citizens are treated by some officials who encounter trauma daily at the “trial box.”

The South-east states should prevail on the US to have a consular in Enugu while the North should have same in Kano. This will reduce the pain and anguish of applicants and the deaths associated with long travels.

The US may wish to adopt the German and British models, where applicants submit visas to be processed in weeks, leaving a fair deal for both parties. The US authority should make her consuls abide by the relevant laws of her own country which promotes the dignity of mankind.

The US should train and retrain her officials on the ethics of the host country. It is unethical to ask a woman unknown to you if she was pregnant, more, to the listening ears of several other applicants. Yes. Some Nigerians are liars. Some are drug couriers. Some are cheats, but not all Nigerians are. In fact, only very few Nigerians are.

Hasty generalization is a mark of illogic.

It simply runs against critical and logical thinking. As the old saying goes, there may be moments when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time we fail to speak out.

*Adeoye is an activist journalist and CNN African Journalist of the Year

PAGE 54—SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014

Why Ukraine won’t go to war with Russia – Ukrainian envoy

BY VICTORIA OJEME

D

ue to the crisis in Ukraine, Sunday (today) has been set in Crimea for referendum which Ukraine and the West called illegal.

Will Ukraine allow Crimea to join Russia?

We should consider this question from the point of view of law and the Constitution of Ukraine. Referendum should be a decision of the parliament of Ukraine. Nobody asked the parliament of Ukraine to provide such referendum; this is the decision of the people of Crimea which Russia has taken over.

Due to historical ties between Ukraine and Russia, don’t you think the interference of the West can escalate the conflict?

From the root of the conflict, you should know that Russia wants to see Ukraine in a European/Asian community so called Customs union and it was caused by political and economic pressure. From time to time, borders were closed to Ukrainian goods entering Russia. For example Ukrainian locomotives, automobiles and high textiles were almost impossible to enter Russia.

The main problem with Russia was the price of gas which was higher than the price in Europe. In Europe for example, if it was 400 dollars for 1,000 cubic meter, Ukraine was paying 420 dollars for the same quantity which led to economic crisis in Ukraine.

Ukraine later prepared an association agreement with European Union and we were supposed to sign that agreement at the end of November last year, but Russia took measures against the signing of this agreement. Of course former President Viktor Yanukovych agreed to stop the signing of the agreement which caused a massive protest by the Ukrainian people. First it was a protest by young people; students and youths of Ukraine. After the attempt to use force against the demonstrators, our people demanded that the government and President should resign. About a hundred people were killed at the peak of the crisis following which President Viktor Yanukovych left the country and disappeared. The crisis in Ukraine is economic and political, and it is not only Crimea that is being threatened, some other territories like Donetsk, Kharkiv and Lugansk are in the same situation.

C M Y K

The Ukraine Ambassador to Nigeria, Valery Vasyliev, says his country will not go to war with Russia over the Crimea crisis.

Do you think it is right for Russia to invade Ukraine?

Definitely not. The main agreement with Russia on friendship was that both sides should open their borders to each other but the agreement was broken.

Will Ukraine go to war with Russia if this crisis persists?

Ukraine is a peaceful country and we are not willing to fight our neighbours. But our situation demands assistance from other countries and the UN Security Council. We appeal to the world communities to support our intention to make the Soviet states united without any changes in our borders.

Russia has justified its invasion of Ukraine on the illegitimacy of the current government it says is the product of a coup?

Russia’s propaganda is that the Ukrainian government is not recognized, but by our Ukrainian Constitution, the parliament authorized that if the President can’t carry out his duties, the parliament has the authority to appoint an acting President before the election which will be held on the 25th of May. And one of the reasons Russia found it easy to invade Crimea was

the location of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Will Ukraine canvass the removal of the Russian base from Crimea?

In my opinion, it is necessary to pay more attention to the Crimean population because about 60 percent of the population speaks Russia.

And who are Crimean’s Tatars The Tatars are more than 12 percent of the population which is a little more than 2 million people and the Tatars say they want to be part of Ukraine as it is.

What is the relationship between Russia and Crimea?

In Crimea, Russia has its military base and most of Crimea’s population is Russian who serve in the Russian army in the military base. It was during the Soviet Union separation that the agreement to have the fleet there was put in place because most of the navy ships are owned by Russians but they had no place to keep them. The agreement was to last till 2017 but President Viktor Yanukovych signed another agreement to give it 25 years more.

We talk about the western world coming to assist Ukraine on this issue but pro- Russia military forces are not allowing the international military to come in. What do you think should be done?

First it was a protest by young people; students and youths of Ukraine.

After the attempt to use force against the demonstrators, our people demanded that the government and President should resign

Some people say it was done in self defence but it was organised by Russian forces going by the information we are receiving. Some troops came by ship to Crimea and some by helicopter and air plane.

The day before yesterday, a special envoy from the UN came to Crimea but he was not allowed into Crimea.

There are over 5,000 Nigerians studying in Ukraine. How safe are they at this period?

Yes, we have about 5,000 Nigerians studying in Ukraine, some of the Nigerians married Ukrainian women and they live in Ukraine. The situation is really disturbing but there is not combat fighting in Ukraine, no shooting and killing. I think most people living in Ukraine are safe.

Besides the students, how many Nigerians are in Ukraine?

It is quite difficult to say, but not less than 1,000 Now that the crisis has not escalated, is Ukraine ready to evacuate foreigners in case there are killings?

We hope everything will be resolved in a peaceful way with the support of the UN, the Security Council in which Nigeria is now a prominent member.

And there are complaints about visa racketeering in your embassy. Can you throw more light on that?

I doubt because if you have received any complaint you should show me. We have held meetings with the ministers in the foreign affairs ministry and we have agreed to work together.

What was the volume of trade between Nigeria and Ukraine last year?

The volume of trade is growing despite the challenges. Last year it was 30 percent more than the previous year which was 330 million dollars and it was this much during the last five years.

How soon do you think Ukraine should hold its presidential election?

ANS: The presidential election will hold on the 25th of May and we hope the crisis would have been resolved before then.

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014, PAGE 55

japhdave@yahoo.com 08056402376

Unity, preservation of African culture, panacea for its devt...--- Prof Pra

By JAPHET ALAKAM LECTURE

I

C M Y K

O

•Prof Kwesi Kwaa Pra, Director, CASAS, South Africa and guest lecturer explaining a point while Prof. Tunde Babawale DG CBAAC (l) and Prof. Dele Layiwola, Chairman of the occasion watch during the Black History Month in Ibadan tically towards global African against greater social intermaintained unchanging and cooperation for mutual benefit course should be addressed unflagging objectives despite it is necessary to deepen and and done away with. challenges. “What we need Still harping on the imporis unity, without unity there accelerate the development of tance of unity, Pra who is the director of the Africa-wide Centre for Advanced Society (CASAS) Cape Town pointed out that for Africa to reclaim their histories and identities as Africans, there is need and want to reconstruct a united Africa which is modern, knowledge based and economically value adding. And for this to happen, “ we must people to people relations work together as Africans towill be no Africa.” He amongst global Africans, add- wards that common goal.” pointed out that African ing that if Africans have unity, He added. countries got independence they will rule the world. To with out freedom, “ what we He prophesied that the 21st achieve that he advised that got was not the real unity, our century will be Africa’s censuch inhibitions and obstacles tury, during this century, unity was not geographical like ethnicity, tribalism, Xeno- neocolonialism will be and that is why we are still phobia and other related fac- brought to an unceremonious searching for it.” He posited tors that has been militating end. Though it will not come that in order to progress prac-

,

n line with its philosophy of promoting African heritage,The Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation’s (CBAAC) last week, held its annual Black History Month celebration with a lecture tagged “PanAfricanism and the Challenges of Global African Unity”at International conference, University of Ibadan. The event which was attended by eminent Professors, scholars, traditional rulers, students and others who believed in the African course afforded them the opportunity to reflect about the triumph of black and African people all over the world.

Apart from the lecture, the programme which was richly spiced up with cultural performances also featured an iconic art exhibition of the black history month that focuses on the need to preserve African culture mounted at the Institute of African Studies.

Before the event actually took off the audience were treated to a series of dance, drama and performances from a video clips on famous FEATC 77'.

In his opening remarks, Prof.

Tunde Babawale, the DG of CBAAC while explaining the meaning of the Black History month and why it was instituted by the organisation said, “Our celebration of the Black History Month is geared towards showcasing to the world the tremendous contributions of black people to world civilasation.”

Continuing Babawale who observed that despite decades of experimentation with different economic policies and programmes, the world’s absolute poor still live on the continent stated that “CBAAC’s decision to celebrate this year’s Black History Month with special focus on Pan- Africanism was motivated by the numerous socio-economic and political challenges facing African continent and her vast Diaspora in recent times and the desire to frontally confront them.”

In the detailed lecture delivered by one of African leading intellectual giant , Prof. Kwesi Kwaa Prah, the Afrocentric scholar with uncommon zeal for African emancipation said that the future of Africa and Africans must lie in the hands of Africans; that only unity can rehabilitate Africans from the stunting legacy of colonialism and neo-colonialism.

He lauded the efforts of the Pan Africanists in their efforts on how they strategically

automatically, so the challenge is to fashion out a theory and practice to achieve it. Democracy, fairness, social justice, respect for human rights and the ideals of secularism, decentralisation and multiculturalism will have to be built into the process of the demise of neo-colonialism. n the final note, he challenged Africans to be proud of their skin and colour and stop falsifying their history in favour of western cultures as by doing so they have already condemned themselves as inferior people.

Other speakers like Senator Yusuf Brimmo, chairman CBAAC governing board, Hon, Abdul Malik Cheche Usman, deputy chairman, House Committe on Tourism and Culture, Prof Dele Layiwola, Director Institute of African Studies and Prof. Isaac Folurunso, Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan also harped on the importance of the day and commended CBAAC for championing the course of African liberation.

There was a dance performance by Legendary theatre that had an Africa touch and a drama presentation by Saka and Sule where they demonstrated some of the recent events happening in Africa and need for unity among Africans.

Also the the duo of Dr Karen Wilson and Mazi Ajimmiri Amaechefu entertained the audience with Kay-Jimmirri Song and Storytelling from Black Worlds where they decried some forms of bastardisation of culture in the name of civilisation through their well rendered folktale.

In order to progress practically towards global African cooperation for mutual benefit, it is necessary to deepen and accelerate the development of people to people relations

,

FG creates more directorates in culture ministry

By CALEB ANYANSINA CULTURE

T

he Federal Government has created additional directorates in the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation.

This, the ministry said, was a way of stepping up government’s obligations towards deploying its capabilities to the furtherance of its transformation agenda and especially the creation of jobs and economic empowerment as signposts towards the achievement of vision 20:2020. The Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, who disclosed this at the inauguration of the Governing Board of National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), in Abuja, maintained that the

creation would promote efficiency in the culture/tourism industry.

According to him, the Federal Government has created two more directorates in the culture department to make it three directorates and an additional directorate in the tourism department to cater for international tourism and development, while the former will take care of domestic and eco tourism.

He charged the board members chaired by Prof Nelson Branbayefa to provide appropriate framework and atmosphere for the agency to pursue its mandates in accordance with its establishing Act and support the transformation agenda of the government guided by extant policies and procedures.

Duke noted that the ministry would not tolerate undue interference of the board members in the day to day administration of their agency. According to him, “it needs be made clear, however, that the Board does not constitute the management of the parastatal.

Earlier, the Executive Director of NCAC, M r Mwajim Malgwi Maidugu called on the board m e m b e r s

made up of experts from the art sector to work towards taking the council to a greater height.

Responding on behalf of the members, the board chairman, Prof Nelson Branbayefa promised to do their best in the council, adding that they would work together to refocus NCAC to the right direction, pledging that, “there won’t be friction, the rules are there already”.

•Children performing during an NCAC organisd event

PAGE 56—SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014 japhdave@yahoo.com 08056402376

Femi, Gentleman thrill Lagos fans

Captivating tales from Nnabuko’s The 14th Amendment

By PRISCA SAM-DURU

By JAPHET ALAKAM

MUSIC

REVIEW

I

•Afro beat king, Femi Kuti and Gentleman thrilling the audience during the show he much awaited show featuring Nigeria’s Afro beat legend, Femi and German reggae artist, Gentleman, took place penultimate week at the Afrika Shrine Ikeja, Lagos.

The show which was organised by German cultural Centre, Goethe Institut was graced by top artists, celebrities and music lovers from different parts of the country and beyond.

The show began with a preconcert performance by coman band led by Wale Mighty who dished out Juju and Alujo kind of music that stirred up the mood of the audience for close to two hours.

Although the main acts were Femi and the German, the audience enjoyed a presentation of Ayefele’s kind of music which served as appetizer for the show as the tunes set the mood straight for an evening of entertainment.

The concert also featured an inspiring moment with the German reggae star, Gentleman who took time out to

share his source of inspiration, disclosing that it came from his lovely and beautiful wife.

He further told the enthusiastic audience that it was a rare privilege for him to perform on stage at the Afrika Shrine with Grammy Nominee, multiple Award winner and Afro beat king, Femi especially when it was his first time in Nigeria.

To pay homage to late Afro beat king, Fela, his old songs were presented and that got the audience on the dancing floor

,

T

were presented by a German DJ to warm up the audience before he German finally came on stage. His performance of heart rendering reggae tunes, thrilled the already excited audience and those who were familiar with his performance sang along while digging it on the floor entleman’s perform ance was followed by that of Femi who came on the stage and performed

G

It was a rare privilege for me to perform on stage at Afrika Shrine wit Grammy Nominee, multiple award winner and Afro beat king, Femi Kuti

,

thereby, bringing back his memories and legacy. emi Kuti’s band, ‘The Posi tive Force Band’ stormed the stage and entertained the audience with old African tunes such as “ A stubborn problem, Africa Lady, No Place for my dream etc.

Later, songs by Gentleman

F

‘Truth Don Die’ which increased the excitement in the shrine. The show came to a climax when the duo of Femi and Gentleman got on stage for a joint performance that elicited deafening shouts as the tunes lured more people out unto the stage.

Ghanaian Aggrey exhibits African Essence at Biodun Omolayo Gallery

A

S part of its main objective of promot ing young and talented African artists, Biodun Omolayo Art Gallery is set to host young and talented award winning Ghanaian water colour artist- Jonathan Kwegyir Aggrey in an exhibition tagged African Essence. It is scheduled to hold at Biodun Omolayo Art Gallery, City Mall Onikan and will feature about 36 latest works of the young artist.

The exhibition which promises to be great will afford Nigerian art community and other art lovers the opportunity to see the creative works of the young artist.

The exhibition is scheduled to open on Saturday March, 29th and will run till April

11, 2014. It will also include a workshop for young and junior artists The body of works to be exhibited which is collectively tagged African Essence is about the artist’s view , impression of African ideals, culture and others.

S

ome of the works includes; Fishing Village ;The herdsman ;Boat Park ; Deep Sailing ; Sailling II ;Potsin Village ; Twilight Village ; Maintenance section ; insearch ; Fishing community, Accra; Elimina Fishing Bay ; Sail ; Leisure activity ; Safari ii ; Winneba township; Other side,Winneba; retired fisherman and others.

daughter. Incidentally, as fate will have it and after due observation, the president broke rules and appointed his would be in law as the new IG, an action that did not go down well with his superiors.

In a bid to formalise the traditional marriage ceremony, the author brings up the village life and what transpired within, but while arrangements were on top gear in the village for the great day, Mike was abducted on his way to the village but through divine intervention, like the biblical Jonah, he landed in the same village.

In the book, the author was able to build up a deep individual personalities with the attitude from different segments of the society as stratified within the context of a city life and rural life community.

A powerful touch with a romantic suspense genre that gladdens the hearts of all readers.

n the past few months, most of the books that has come my desk were motivational books, but this book which is written by Chris Nnabuko, an Umuahia based media practitioner is a different thing entirely. Full of suspense, captivating with lots of intrigues that will gladden the heart of all intending readers.

A mere look at the book cover with the catchy title will make the reader believe that the book, titled The 14th Amendment is a constitution or any other serious document meant for special people, but it is not so rather is a work of art from a master story teller.

The 285 pages book from the coffers of Ricca Surf Integrated Services, is a work of fiction that captures the political, administration, religion, culture and governance of a people that tries to align with the changing times in a modern world.

Divided into three sections The story is very interesting with 40 chapters, from someone that as you go through a chapwho understands what makes ter you will be eager to go to the good script is a new addition to next chapter to know what is the array of books in the literary there. And at the end it ended world. Nnabuko, an ace re- very well.

I commend the author for the porter and editor utilising his wealth of experience, in a bril- fine narrative , apart from some liantly crafted and finely typographical errors, there are wrought poise brings his mas- some noticeable flaws that if tery of story telling into full well handled will make the book the best seller. First, the point flight.

Sometimes breathtaking and size is small, making it not at all times captivating, The 14th reader friendly especially those with eye problems and secondly, Amendment is a great story that most of the words used in Igbo traces the vicissitudes and va- language were not translated garies of life as they apply to the into English. The author should President as a result of his do something about that. policy. The author in the book Despite that the book is a reflects on enduring interest on very good material in waitthe issue of leadership and the role of some advisers in public policy issues.

Nnabuko narrates the story of a legal instrument enacted by the federal legislature to check the nations excessive taste for foreign made goods and save its ailing economy, an action that really paid well as the country was able to recover. But that was not without its challenges as many opposed it, but the greatest challenge been the ill health of the president’s daughter that defiles all medical solutions, while many called for its abrogation to enable the president’s daughter to be flown The 14th Amendment; Chris abroad for medical attention, Nnabuko; Ricca Surf Intethe president did not yield but grated Services, Umuahia, miraculously she recovered Nigeria, 2012; PP .28 5 through the re establishment of her contact with her ex ing for adaptation into a lover. play. Film directors are In a captivating manner, the adviced to look on the side author introduces the reader of the book for a possible to another angle, the issues of translation as it will make a marriage between Mike good film.

Allison and the president’s C M Y K

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 16, 2014, PAGE 57 sameyoboka@yahoo.com

08023145567 (sms only)

Okoh tasks Confab delegates to discuss all areas of friction

By SAM EYOBOKA

A

RCHBISHOP Metro politan and Primate of Nigeria, (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, Sunday in Lagos described the National Conference scheduled for inauguration tomorrow at the National Judicial Institute, Abuja, as a gift from God, imploring the 492 delegates to take advantage of the opportunity to truthfully discuss all that has been afflicting us as a nation.

Addressing journalists at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, Ikeja, after a service to mark the 50th anniversary of the church, the primate urged the delegates to discuss all the areas of friction that have been a source a impediment to the nation and her citizens and proffer enduring solutions so that at the end of the dialogue “we will not go back to the kind of life we have been living."

Rt. Rev. James Odedeji also used the occasion of the anniversary to disagree with the assertion recently gaining ground that as much as 85 per cent of victims of Boko Haram attacks across the North Eastern region of the country are Muslims, arguing that any one who says that is being economical with the truth.

Answering reporters' questions at the end of the service, the primate said: “Our relationship will be oiled by understanding and agreement properly documented for the growth and development of the nation as a whole.” He urged the delegates therefore to eschew tribalism or religious considerations and objectively dialogue on all those fundamental issues that have caused so much disunity in the country.

Asked about the security situation in the country on the backdrop of recent invasion of Enugu State Government House by yet to be identified hoodlums, the primate, a retired military officer said: “It is same problem that started up north except that it is developing tentacles. I believe that it should be talked about at the national level as well as at the conference.

“You cannot decide how I will relate with you without

*AVMCC GOLDEN JUBILEE: From left; Mr. Bode Ogunlela, Cathedral Warden; Mrs Modupe Kolawole, Secretary, anniversary committee, Prof. Wale Omole, Chairman 50th anniversary committee, Rt. Rev. James Olusola Odedeji, Bishop of Lagos West, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, Archbishop Metropolitan/Primte of All Nigeria, Rt. Rev. Johnson Atere, Bishop of Awori; Chief Segun Osunkeye, Chairman, Nestle Plc and Ven. Abel Oluyemi Ajibodu, Dean of the Cathedral, during the grand finale of the Golden Jubilee Celebration of Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral/Thanksgiving Service in Lagos. SHOT: DIRAN OSHE. my consent. You cannot order deciding anything fundamen- appears to be unanimity or compel me to worship with among Nigerians that the tal then we have wasted the you. So all those things must nation should stay together as nation’s resources. be discussed at the national it is presently constituted, According to Archbishop conference in the interest of arguing however, “what is Okoh, the national conferpeace and for the Nigerian not clear to us is how we are ence is a gift from God and project to succeed,” he noted, to stay together. There is no we are relying on those who adding that if the over 400 problem two us go together had been chosen to make a delegates go there without but how are we going to go siuccess, adding that there

together. If you want me to always worship in your place there will be problem. There should be give and take which is known as the principle of reciprocity.”

Also speaking, the bishop of AVMCC, Rt. Rev. James Odedeji disagreed with the assertion that 85 per cent of victims of Boko Haram attacks across the North Eastern region of the country are Muslims, saying that any one who says that is economical with the truth.

“The records are there for everyone to verify. The number of churches that were burnt, the number of Christians who were dispatched to the great beyond while worshipping their God on Sunday and all the people they have been killing in their homes and other places.

A lot of churches where people were worshipping their God were razed to the ground and the worshippers.

So that may not be the whole truth,” he stated.

The bishop called on the Federal Government to adequately equip the military with all they need to prosecute a war against a better trained and organized terrorist gang, saying that the military may not have the wherewithal to adequately tackle the terrorist challenge currently confronting us as a nation.

We all need Divine healing

By MSGR. GABRIEL OSU

W

E live in a world of imperfection, cou pled with a society that is fast losing grip of the essence of respect for the human life. Each day, as we get to hear of the death of others in unfortunate circumstances, we tend to develop thick skin of aloofness and indifference.

‘It’s none of my business,’ we would say; after all I don’t know the victims, neither there relations or family members.’ And that is where we get it wrong.

The truth is that we must and should be concerned with the tragedies that befell others and guide against the re-occurrence of same, if we can. Why? Because we are all part of humanity and emanate from the same source. Our fate as humans are interlocked in the divine who is the source of our being and to whom we shall report to at the end of time.

Today, you may say to yourself ‘Thank God I am not a victim of the ills rampaging our society. Beware! Who knows

tomorrow! Do you know where the next bomb will explore? Do you know whose turn it would be to be knocked down along that dilapidated expressway that has been begging for attention for many years? How do you know if your immediate family would not be a victim of the rot in the aviation sector soon, unless urgent steps are taken to make things work?

Have you forgotten that what comes around goes around?

We have been faced with so much tragedy that it seems the only theme that would be appropriate for this period in time is to direct our attention to the only one who has all the solutions to life’s numerous afflictions- Jesus Christ. He alone can heal us of our afflictions and turn the situation of our country around for good.

We are in a season that calls for divine healing. We need divine healing in our lives, our families, in our business and in the very core of our national lives. Too much innocent bloods have been shed and the cry of the innocent has reached the

ears of the Most High. He is not deaf to our cries, neither is he powerless to save us. He is a merciful God who is slow to anger but firm in His judgement. He works in mysterious ways that are hard for the average mortal to comprehend. It may seem that God is not acting, but be assured that He is very much active and in the know of our situation. The book of Psalm 34: 18 says ‘The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.’

God is not asleep. He shares in our pains and is ever present in our afflictions. He also assures us in His words that those who mourn shall be comforted. (See Matthew 5: 4) For those who are in deep sorrows and mourning, I can only refer you to the soothing words of Revelation 21: 4 ‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’

That is God’s word for this

moment. All the pains we are going through at the moment are temporal. Someday, they will all fade away like mist. We are also to comfort others who are afflicted. How? By showing that we care and by being there for them and by teaching them to cast all their burdens on God because He cares for them (1 Peter 5: 7) At this period of grief, we have no other option than to turn to the one who alone can give us hope in a seemingly hopeless age. He assured us in John 14: 1 thus: ‘Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.’

Let me remind you that what you are passing through is part of the trial of life, but you must not lose hope. After the rain comes sun shine. Remember the admonition of James 1:12, ‘Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.’

PAGE 58 —SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 16, 2014

I

N September 2012, I had a dream. I was somewhere high up in the mountains and did not know exactly what I was doing there. Suddenly, there was so much pomp and circumstance. A lot of security detail poured into the place and there was no room for me to quickly make my way out of there. I was wondering what all the palaver was about when out came President Barack Obama of the United States.

In real life, Obama comes across to me as a formal dresser. He is either wearing a suit and tie or a shirt and a tie.

But in my dream, he was dressed casually. He had on a khaki-coloured “French suit.” Apparently, he came to the mountains to relax. He immediately sought me out and came towards me. He held out his hands and shook hands warmly with me. He smiled endearingly at me as flash-photographers took our pictures.

He said nothing at all.

There seemed to be no need to do so. Clearly, we knew one another quite well.

Theophanies of God. Even while in my dream, I knew the Barack Obama of my dream was God. This kind of thing is called a theophany; a situation where God appears to man. As children of God, we will automatically know the Lord when we see him. We will recognise him in every disguise or representation. We don’t need to ask: “Who are you Lord?” Jesus says: “My sheep know me.”

(John 10:14). Barack Obama, the President of

God were ascending and descending on it. And behold, the LORD stood above it and said: ‘I am the LORD God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants.’” (Genesis 28:1213).

DREAMING DREAMS OF THE ALMIGHTY (2) have starved to death.

the most powerful country in the world was in my dream a theophany of Almighty God; President of the heavens and the earth.

Theophanies are recorded in scripture, both in dreams and in person. The Lord appeared to Laban in a dream.

(Genesis 31:24). He also appeared to Solomon in a dream. (1 King 3:5). When you tell people the Lord appeared to you in a dream, those who have not had such experience may be inclined to despise your dream. Don’t let this bother you. Even their skepticism is scriptural: “(Joseph’s) brothers hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.” (Genesis 37:8).

The scriptures authenticate our dreams. Another tell-tale sign in my dream is that the Lord appeared to me on a mountain. Moses says: “The LORD spoke to you face to face out of the fire on the mountain.” (Deuteronomy 5:4). Why does the Lord do something like this? Again, the answer can be found in the scriptures. Sometimes it is a call to ministry or a confirmation of a ministry. God says: “If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, make myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him

When you tell people the Lord appeared to you in a dream, those who have not had such experience may be inclined to despise your dream.

in a dream.” (Numbers 12:6).

Those who seek God in their heart-of-hearts are inclined to receive dreams of the Almighty.

Moses says: “You were shown these things so that you might know that the LORD is God; besides him there is no other.” (Deuteronomy 4:35).

Those who ask God questions and expect him to answer might receive answers through dreams. Observe this: “When Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets.” (1 Samuel 28:6). This shows God sometimes answers our questions through dreams.

Not Just a dream One of the mistakes we make when we dream is to say: “It is just a dream.” Take nothing for granted. When God gave Solomon wisdom such as he had never given to any man before, it was “just a dream:”

“At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, "Ask! What shall I give you?" “Then Solomon awoke; and indeed it had been a dream.” (I Kings 3:5/ 15).

What would have happened if Joseph had ignored the dream telling him to take the baby Jesus and his mother and to run to Egypt?

(Matthew 2:13-14).

They would have been killed. What would have happened if Abimelech had ignored the dream that warned him that Sarah was Abraham’s wife?

(Genesis 20:3). He would have been condemned. What would have happened if Pharaoh had ignored the dream about the seven years of plenty and the seven years of famine?

“The seven thin heads devoured the seven plump and full heads.

So Pharaoh awoke, and indeed, it was a dream.”

(Genesis 41:7). If Pharaoh had not heeded this dream, Egypt would

Fireman breaks silence on ritual allegation

By SAM ANOKAM

G

ENERAL Over seer of Perfect Christianity Mission, Dr. Sign Fireman Ukoha has finally broken the silence on the allegation that he instructed a teenager to bring for ritual purposes the faeces of a virgin which unfortunately resulted in the death of the victim.

Addressing newsmen in his church in Surulere, Lagos, the man of God said his silence was because he wanted to trace the source of the attack.

He said: “A lot of things written about me then were not correct. I want

to use this opportunity to clear the air. I didn’t do it. I have never met that young man. The story said I was bundled to the police station. That is not true. I drove to Panti police station myself. If I was guilty, I would have ran away.

"When the young man was called to testify in the presence of policemen, he confessed that we had never met. The boy who claimed he washes my car everyday, did not even recognize the colour of my house when I took the police to my house in Lekki.

How come?

"Thank God his mother came out to vindicate me. A lot of things have happened to me in recent times. I have suffered bandits attack, assassination attempt, even my mother’s house in Abuja was burnt down but I am not perturbed because I know who I believed

in.

"This whole thing started when I came in

contact with a document which I will make known soon. The people involved have tried to pre-

Divine direction Thus, God often uses dreams to counsel us and to give us direction.

God gave to Jacob a business strategy through a dream that made him extremely wealthy. As a matter of fact, it made him wealthier than his boss. (Genesis 31:10-13). The psalmist says: “I will bless the Lord who counsels me; he gives me wisdom in the night. He tells me what to do.”

(Psalm 16:7). Therefore, we must not ignore divine promptings and warnings given to us in dreams.

Sometimes, these come with a certain insistence. They are repeated again and again.

Repetitive dreams are designed to impress on us the importance of the message in the dream: “The dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.” (Genesis 41:32).

Relationship dreams In a dream, I was sitting in a big theatre with lots of people. It might have been a church service, except there was no pulpit and no preacher. Then suddenly, a lion came out. I expected there to be pandemonium, but everyone remained in their seat. I was wondering if I was the only one who could see it. I thought: “Why is no one else afraid?”

Then the lion climbed off the stage, walked down the aisle and came to stand in front of me.

I was mesmerized in my seat. Then just as amazingly, it started to play with me. I could see that all eyes were on us, but I was most uncomfortable. How do you play with a lion? What if it suddenly remembers it is a lion and turns violent?

I just could not take my mind off the fact that it was a lion playing with me.

Sometimes dreams are used to reveal to us the special will of God in our life. This was the case of Jacob in Bethel: “Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of

And then the lion did something even more puzzling. It showed me its claws. As it did, one of them grew out as if extended by hidden hydraulics. Then it put the claw into my eye and used it to stroke my eyeball!

Who is this lion? It is Jesus; “the lion of the tribe of Judah.” (Revelation 5:5). He uses such dreams to tell us he is our friend.

(Continued).

vent me from making it public but they are wasting their time,” he explained.

Brandishing copies of letters from the police and the office of the Directorate of Public Pros-

ecution, he continued, "from the Police investigation, there is nothing to show that I had anything to do with the allegation.

The DPP has also written that I am innocent," he stated.

CCC fractional problems emanated from Nigeria---Adeniyi

N

ATIONAL Co ordinator of Nigerian Dioceses of Celestial Church of Christ, Most Supreme Evangelist Maromipin Oluyemi Adeniyi has attributed the various factional challenges facing the church to lack of respect for the church constitution by those parading themselves as pastors most especially in the Nigerian dioceses of the church, reports WILLIAM JIMOH. Adeniyi also implored all

Celestials and religious bodies to embrace the truth and shun illegalities, adding that that CCC is a religious institution governed by a constitution.

According to the cleric, contrary to the general notion by some Nigerian fractional leaders pronouncing themselves as international administrators of the church, the seat of government of CCC worldwide church remain in PortoNovo, Republic of Benin which is the origin of the

church.

“Celestial Church of Christ which was founded through the Holy Spirit by late Rev. Pastor Samuel Bilewu Oshoffa on September 29, 1947 in Porto-Novo, Republic of Benin formerly Dahomey has been enmeshed in crisis ever since the death of Papa Oshoffa.

This crisis could have been averted if the Nigerian leaders have respect for the rule of law and were prepared to uphold the sanctity of the Celestial constitution.

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014, PAGE 59

The day Jonathan, Sambo, govs set PDP agenda for the N-west

•Namadi Namadi Sambo

•President President Goodluck Jonathan

BY LUKA BINNIYAT

L

AST Wednesday, at the Murtala Muhammed Square, Kaduna, an army of urchins, among others, converged.

Dressed in and what looked like hurriedly made Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) T-shirts and caps, their dusty feet, thread-bare trousers and the liberty with which they smoked and screamed obscenities , reminded one of the “toxic waste of human society”.

They carried banners of their “heroes” with welcoming messages.

Drummers, trumpeters, native singers and jesters, clad in the colours of the PDP, were also prominently on show.

Occasionally a brawl would break out in the crowd but would be quickly contained by the large number of uniformed and plain clothes security men at the venue.

The occasion was the North-west PDP zonal rally which had in attendance President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ) who sat under the giant canopy stand at the square, with Vice President. Namadi Sambo, members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP, seven governors, several former governors, scores of senators, Reps members, and ministers.

Behind them were many prominent members of the PDP from the Northwest.

If the aim of the rally was to showcase the degree of support for the PDP in the North-west, it would look like Sambo is in serious deficit, including the host Governor. Mukhtar Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State.

The men who stole the show were the governor of Katsina State, Barrister Ibrahim Shehu Shema, and Jonathan While the applause the President received when he was called to round off the three-hours rally with a speech may be out of the excitement of most of the crowd seeing him in person for the first time, the cheering that greeted Shema each time his name was mentioned showed he must done something others did not do. Even when

local musicians were called to entertain the gathering, the crowd quickly improvised a chorus that ended with . . . Sai Shema! (Shema only!)

Those who claim to understand the inner workings of the PDP told this reporter that it was a plot to make Sambo look inconsequential in the gathering while presenting the Katsina governor as the man truly in-charge of the politics of the zone. It was a wily style of bargaining for the running mate of the President in place of Sambo, should the president decide to run in 2015.

Though the occasion was supposed

•Chief Chief TTony ony Anenih head in a septic tank.

Said the President: “PDP is the only party that whatever is happening to the PDP is happening to Nigeria. PDP is the only party that you can say ‘is for the people, by the people and of the people’ “ We have been told that some people are ganging-up in different names.

I can assure you that this is not the first time that there has been a gangup.

“From 1999 there was a gang up.

Two, three political parties came together. They brought a presidential

Whatever is happening to the PDP is happening to Nigeria. PDP is the only party that you can say ‘is for the people, by the people and of the people’

,,

to be a “Unity and Reconciliation Rally” for the zone, most of the speakers spoke on the achievements of Mr President and of the PDP since 1999.

Apart from the Chairman, BoT of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih, the governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, and the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Mua’azu, who harped on the importance of reconciling aggrieved members of the PDP from the zone, all speakers praised the President, and what a wonderful party the PDP had been since 1999.

As if saving the best for the last, Jonathan took on the opposition in a tirade.

Even the Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, known for his unsparing words for those opposing the President, did not match what the President had to tell his opponents.

After calling the APC (which is a marriage of three political parties) a container of toxins, he told it to go dip its

Gov er o •Gov Gov.. Mukhtar Ramalan Y Yer ero

candidate from one Secretary to the Federal Government. The gang up will fail. “ And I tell people that if you put oil in a container, then pour kerosene in that container, then pour sulphuric acid in that container, you bring petrol and pour in that container and then hydrochloric acid, what do you think will happen to that container? Disaster!

“The gang up will fail. It is just as you mix acid and other things in a container. It is not a new thing. They will continue to gang-up, but will fail.

“And ask yourself - look at the history of great political parties all over the world. They don’t change everyday like rocks going through metamorphosis.

“Look at the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa. The ANC is over 103 years old. It is older than Nigeria as a state. It is still ANC today. So when you see a party changing names anyhow you should

•Gov Gov.. Ibrahim Shehu Shema Gov know that that is not where to go. “ The PDP is committed to being stable. And PDP is taking us to where we shall go. PDP is the right place to be PDP is a truly democratic party. It is the party that anybody can rise to be anything. It is the party that gives me and you the opportunity to be what we want to be. So continue to support the PDP, continue to be with the PDP. . . . continue with your commitment to our great party, don’t be worried.

“PDP remains committed to the development of the country. And let me re-assure you very, very sincerely that the PDP is still the party of the Northwest zone, and intends to remain so.

Come 2015 PDP is going to retain this zone. . . we will continue to retain Jigawa, Katsina, Kaduna, Kebbi states.

Kano is a PDP state, but some people want to take the state from us. We don’t know where they are taking Kano State.

But with Shekarau and others joining PDP, we will take Kano back. Kano State will surely come back to PDP. The same thing with Sokoto State. PDP will take over Sokoto state, and will continue to rule Sokoto State. The only state that has never been a in the control of the PDP is Zamfara State. But it is a friendly state, and we have been assured that we will win Zamfara come 2015”.

PAGE 60— SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014

EX -MINIS TER OR UBEBE GOES SPIRITU AL EX-MINIS -MINISTER ORUBEBE SPIRITUAL

‘I built on the land of death’

By Egufe Yafugborhi

A

t an all night prayer session, Elder Godsday Orubebe,erstwhile Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, joined by the church members and political associates, took his 2015 governorship aspiration in Delta State to God, affirming that only Him can stand in his way.

N

eck deep in politics, it is hard to visualise how immediate past Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, manages to fuse his political career with corresponding devotion to the church pulpit without faltering. Within seven years of public service as minister before resigning to open a new gubernatorial aspiration, Orubebe has, with equal commitment, elevated his Christian faith to the heights of a modern day preacherman where he now rubs shoulders with notable men of God in commanding church congregations from the pulpit.

At an all night prayer/ thanksgiving session of the Glory Sanctuary Christian Center, GSCC, an ecumenical center built by the Delta governorship contender in his community in Ogbobagbene, Burutu Local Government Area, Sunday Vanguard confronted Orubebe to correlate this onerous oddity of being a man of God and a politician at the same time.

strength from the man of God in me. Since 1987 when I left my job in Lagos to kick start this political career by winning the councillorship in my ward in defunct Bendel State, God has always shown me the right moments and granted me victory in every political aspiration I undertake.

And I have never looked back.”

“It is for this same God’s grace upon my life that I, within the period, put up the ecumenical center in my village when my peers are building private mansions and country homes in their villages. It was in fulfillment of my desire to break the jinx of fear and backwardness in my community while also providing a platform where men from far and near can come to share the inner peace and love of God towards a better society.”

According to the governorship contender, the materialization of GSCC itself is divine. “Years back, my community dreaded tread-

,,

My parents and everyone feared for me, appealing that I should not make the attempt. I believed my uncle who died or anyone else before him died more in fear and lack of faith than in any other consequence anyone could have imagined His simple response was, “It definitely seems odd to man.

To God who ordained it, it is a small price to pay for all the goodness He has brought to my life.”

According to Orubebe, “I am politician by calling. I studied political science. But I could not have been a successful politician without first being a man of God. The politician in me draws

ing on this land where the GSCC is sited. The belief was that anyone who attempted building on it dies. I have an uncle who died after molding blocks on a portion.

The consequence was that the community was backward and became the laughing stock of neighbors who called us all sorts of names.

“And so a few years ago, I told my people I would

build on this land of death.

My parents and everyone feared for me, appealing that I should not make the attempt. I believed my uncle who died or anyone else before him died more in fear and lack of faith than in any other consequence anyone could have imagined. I built GSCC and I have not died, will never die because of it. That success caused a transformation of my community as several other capable sons and daughters of Ogbobagbene joined the rush of developing the so called evil land.

The fear is banished.”

NEW POLITICAL CHAPTER At the GSCC all night prayers/thanksgiving session dedicated to updating the life story of Orubebe, the former minister affirmed his commitment to running for governorship in Delta State come 2015 as he took stock of the heights he has attained, not forgetting to appreciate some key actors God has used to fulfill His promises upon his life.

The late President Umaru Yar ’Adua, who gave him

what he described as the priceless opportunity to join the federal cabinet, and President Goodluck Jonathan, who he described as his mentor and elder brother, were conspicuously cited.

MAJOR HURDLE ith Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan having taken up two tenures in a multi-ethnic Delta where the echoes of zoning is resonant in the ruling PDP, many believe Orubebe, who hails from same Delta South as Uduaghan has a Herculean hurdle to cross in breaking this barrier of zoning. The erstwhile minister, however, saw the issue differently.

He said. “My word on this subject would be that zoning is a reflection of who is defining it. Delta is multiethnic. And you have a situation where some groups, like mine, for instance, over the time, have never tasted being deputy governor, not in the least the governorship.

So, under the circumstance, what would you consider fair is we are passionate about zoning. I can then define

W

zoning to be Delta Ijaw’s turn to be governor in 2015.”

CHURCH COMMUNITY AND 2015 With political campaigns yet to start, some in the church community in Delta are already celebrating victory for Orubebe over his governorship aspiration. The anticipatory victory, backed with prayers and prophesies, dominated the sermon and remarks from the pulpit at the event.

Bishop Kingsley Enakirerhie, General Overseer at Heroes of Faith Church, who was guest speaker, said, “We thank God for the life of this great man who God has used to perform greats things in the land. By this time next year, we will be here to thank God for the next level God has chosen to take his excellency (Orubebe) in Delta.” High point of the occasion was a special prayer session by the clergy and the congregations including political associates for a kneeling Orubebe, asking God to sign, seal and deliver him as governor, Delta State come 2015.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 16, 2014, PAGE 61

I

mmediate past Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe (CON) has disclosed that the game of Golf is not only designed for Men of high class alone but for responsible and well respected Men in the society also designed for every lover of PEACE and UNITY. He made this disclosure during the just concluded Orubebe Golf Championship held in Sapele Athletic Club, Delta State.

Orubebe, as he is known, for ensuring that every event in his life is made meaningful by adding Colors and regenerating the intent of the event to better portray the good of Delta State and Nigeria at large. He regarded the game of Golf as a veritable sporting tool that can be used to generate support from International community and also, to foster Unity in Nigeria.

Over the years, it has shown that sporting activities are capable of bringing Nigerians together with one common goal and purpose as it is known that everyone loves winning in the journey of life.

Speaking with Newsmen, Orubebe said “Golf is good for DeepThinkers a game for Reasonable Minds. It is a game for the responsible men and women and it is not only for the rich but for men and women of integrity.” His words highlight the need for people to come together to rethink on how Golf games and other sports can be used to harness the good and development of

Orubebe Golf T ournament...

This is just the Beginning Sapele Athletics Club perhaps the oldest recreational club in Nigeria teed off former Niger Delta Affairs minister, Elder Godsday Orubebe golf tournament recently as part of its centenary celebration.

Delta State.

The Orubebe Tournament came as an historic approach in revitalizing the need for Nigerians to embrace a sound PEACE building process through sports activities. The tournament is a brainchild of Elder Orubebe to also champion a movement to the realization of the potentials in Sapele being the first host to the tournament in terms of development and wooing possible investors who may have attended the tournament as a player of spectator.

Orubebe, during the interactive session with Media Men further emphasized on the vision behind this tournament as it is the First of its kind in the whole of Nigeria where sports development is high needed. The tournament according to Elder Orubebe is to showcase to the world the rich Tourism potentials overflowing in Delta State starting with Sapele where it all began. It is on record that Sapele used to be the home of peace with foreigners and local investors living in harmony; relating to the good old days of AT & P. As Elder Orubebe has

•The Chief Organiser of the Orubebe Golf tournament,Barrister Mary Oyibocha-Agbajoh (right) with Chief Peter Igho (NTA)(2nd left) and others. already assured Deltans and the good people of Sapele “this is only the beginning of the restoration of the city of Sapele to her rightful place of glory.”

The outcome of the event indicates that Elder Orubebe is not flippant with his mission to restore city by city in Delta

State to present the state to the international community as the best place to visit and invest in the coming years.

The highlight of the historic event was the unveiling of HOLE 1 Named after him for his exceptional qualities.

Other notable Nigerians

present in the event include Dr Deshi President Nigeria Golf Federation & SA to Senate President, Chief Peter Igho of NTA, Dr. Pat Ogboru Uloho, Chief Sunny Okperue, retired Custom Boss, Tex Egbedi (Texen) and Alabo Capt Ben Briggs, former Minister of Aviation.

How we resuscitated sports in Anambra — Commissioner

BY OJIEVA EHIOSUN

G

oing by the spate of sports development currently going on in Anambra state, the commissioner of Youth and Sports, Dr. Edozie Aroh, has revealed that his ministry made a lot of sacrifices to reach the level that Anambra sports is presently.

Excerpts: For the past two years, Anambra state has recorded remarkable improvement in the sports, what can you say is responsible for it?

Sports as we know are physical activities that serve many purposes. They are health therapies and also sources of livelihood. Actually when I came into this ministry two years ago, what I met on ground was nothing to write home about. Sporting activities across the board was C M Y

completely moribund, athletes and coaches where abandoned to their fate. The government was pumping funds into the ministry but yet no sporting activities were going on. The ministry held meetings upon meetings to see what can be done to remedy the situation.

In doing this we stepped on so many toes, but we were determined to do some thing positive to change the situation.

Thank God we have a governor who has a listening ear. So we came out with a blue print on how to develop sports and take it the door steps of our people especially the athletes. Another thing is putting the right peg in the right hole. Being somebody who was in sports before, I knew what it takes to make athletes happy and excel in their various fields, so we went down to business. It was an up hill task but we were ready to pay the prize to ensure

that things work well for sports men and women in the state.

Today every body is talking about sports in Anambra state and parents now buy kits for their wards just for them to do sports. If you go back into records, you will discover that Anambra state, within this short period, has done very well in most of the national competitions.

How many athletes have really benefited from Governor Obi’s sports transformation agenda?

A large number of Anambra state athletes have one good story or the other to tell about what he or she has benefited from this government in terms of sports. Let me just name few.

We have resuscitated schools sports in the state and it has become a yearly event for all schools with rewards for winners in all categories. We also do state sports festivals. In the last governor ’s football tournament, the team that won the cup went home with N1.5

million, second placed got NI million while the third and fourth teams went home with N500,000 and N250,000 respectively Anambra YSFON Starlets who are the current national U16 champions were sponsored by the state to represent Nigeria in Norway.

Almost all the stadia in Anambra state have been given a facelift. Rojenny alone gulped N30million. We have honoured 30 sports veterans amongst them are Mary Onyali Omagbemi and Mr. Emma Okala etc.

In the 5th National Schools Festival held in Port Harcourt, Anambra won 39 Gold, 48 Silver and 82 Bronze. Njika Iyiazu a gold medallist at the Paralympics event was also highly rewarded. The first female gold medallist at the 1973 National Sports Festival Mrs Loveth Onyeabo was remembered and honoured with cash award. This ministry within two years under my leadership

and with the support of our governor has achieved and brought in new innovations to the system.

If you are given the opportunity to serve this state again under this capacity, will you take it.?

Yes why not. I will like to continue from where I stopped because I know the system. I have put some things in place, I want to take sports to the zenith in this state. I want to finish the projects I have stated, so that by the time I leave the scene, the athletes and coaches don’t need any body to do what is right. Anambra sports men and women have discovered that sports is real business and they are ready to key into it to earn a living. I would like to advise our athletes to remain totally committed to rewriting the name of Anambra state in sports, especially as we prepare for other national sporting events for the this year particularly the National Sports Festival coming up in Calabar.

C M Y K

PAGE 62 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 16, 2014

BASKETBALL: UNILAG ISL wins Akofa Ivy League T

he 15 th Edition of the AKOFA Private Secondary School Basketball Championship came to a close in grand style at the Avi-Ceena International School Lagos last weekend with University of Lagos International School emerging champion.

The UNILAG International school side defeated host AviCeena International School 3934 in the Boys final while AviCenna won the girls trophy with a narrow 21-17 points victory over Vivian Fowler Memorial College.

The Avi-Cenna girls were spurred on by the championship Most Valuable Player (MVP), Ruth Omotayo who is on full scholarship due to her sporting talent. In the Girls 3rd place match UNILAG International school defeated Queens College Yaba, Lagos 10-09 in overtime while Sound Hope Academy won the bronze medal match for the boys with a 31-24 points win over White Sand school Lekki.

Present at the event is the newly appointed technical director of the Nigerian Basketball Federation, Ayo Bakare as well as NBBF Board member and Chairman of the League Board of the DStv Premier Basketball League Agboola Pineirho, former

national women’s team head coach, Scott Nnaji, Coordinator of the Youth Alive Community League, Gbade Olatona amongst other dignitaries.

Speaking at the event, the founder of the AKOFA Ivy Basketball league, John Abimbola Faniran said “I’m proud of the standard of the competition especially in the girls cadre”. He also promised that the winners will be going to Europe for a summer tournament in Belgium and Holland later in the year.

Coach Bakare commended the organizers of the annual league which brings together pupils between the ages of 13-18. He further disclosed the intention of the NBBF to partner with such bodies that are into grassroot basketball development across the country.

“These are the kind of developmental programmes we are looking for. About three or four of these talents can possibly represent Nigeria at the U-16 and U-18 of FIBA Africa junior competitions”.

“The federation would also welcome more developmental programmes from individuals and state associations and is willing to help as many of these grass-root competitions across the nation as we can.” We are starting

on a clean slate and we want to groom players who can represent Nigeria for 10 to 15 years down the line.

The male Most Valuable Player of the competition Nwachukwu Chinoso from UNILAG International School, who captivated fans with two monster dunks in the final, showed lots of character of what true sportsmanship is all about.

The very modest 6 feet 5 inches 15 year old said “I really don’t think I deserve the MVP award because everyone on my team contributed to our success. I am thankful I’m going home with this but Europe; America is the next point of call. It is time to show the world my talent,” he concluded.

Hopfner succeeds jailed Hoeness at Bayern

B

•Hopfner

The Kano Pillars, Enyimba catastrophic outing B

efore the arrival of Stephen Keshi, the Nigeria Premier League was not worth a toilet paper or shit money as the Asians once described Ugandan money which incurred them the wrath of the Ugandan strong man, Alhaji Idi Amin Dada who sent them packing from the east African country in the 70s.

Even the supposed administrators of the league, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF and surprisingly, its indigenous national team coaches, Shaibu Amodu and Samson Siasia didn’t touch the players with the longest of poles when selecting their players for competitions.

However, the arrival of Keshi in 2012 as national team Chief Coach changed all that as he, being a good student of Clemens Westerhof, decided to look inwards to pick some league players in the process of rebuilding the Super Eagles from the debris of the Siasia era.

Many thought he was embarking on a gamble and never gave him and his rookies any chance to even go beyond the group stage of the 2013 Africa Nations Cup. This was at the background of Nigeria not qualifying for the 2012 edition which held in Equatorial Guinea/Gabon, the last on even number years.

It is no longer news that the home boys or league players never disappointed

BAD BOY ... Manchester City captain, Vincent Kompany saw red yesterday as his side beat Hull City 2-0 at home.

and actually played a major role in the Eagles’ surprise triumph at the expense of highly favoured Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire who they sent packing in the quarter finals.

That singular decision by Keshi brought back the competitiveness in the Eagles and vibrancy in the local league thought to be dead before the effort of immediate past sports minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi to trust Nduka Irabor with the onerous task of repositioning the league.

Many football administrators who go by the name football owners when in actual fact they are civil servants and employees of the various state governments who own the clubs or are political ‘friends’ of the governors never wanted a change from the status quo and are still battling with the League Management Company, LMC on how the league should be run.

Despite the surge of interest in the local league by Nigerians and the new zeal in the league players to display their skill and get invited into the Eagles Team A or B, the performance of two of the leading club sides in the country, Kano Pillars and Enyimba in the 2013/2014 African Champions League leaves a sour taste in the mouth.

Followers of both teams are already heaping the blame of their failure on the late start of the football season which they

AYERN Munich yesterday named Karl Hopfner as successor to the disgraced president Uli Hoeness, who was jailed last week for tax fraud.

The championship club’s board of directors voted unanimously to name Hopfner, the current vice president, to head the storied franchise.

His appointment will be put to a vote at a meeting of the club’s general assembly on May 2.

claim made the players match rusty.

No blame has however gone to the administrators of the clubs who never plan ahead for competitions.

On the part of Kano Pillars however, poor planning could not be said to be the cause of the disappointing outing as the structure put in place by the immediate past chairman of the club, Mallam Abba Yola was destroyed by an appointee of the state government whose interest was purely selfish and detrimental to the club.

Before the governor could realise the damage the new policies of his new adviser on football matters have caused, Pillars were out of the Champions league, shockingly before the lucrative stage where it all matters.

Enyimba, since the exit of Orji Uzo Kalu, have never been the same as the present government pays very little attention on the affairs of the club unlike its hay days when it won the African Champions League back to back.

Apart from the lukewarm attitude of the Abia state government towards the club, the management of the club has a penchant for firing its coaches, whether they are performing or not, once they challenge decisions they deem not in the best interest of the club. A good example was the case of Sylvanus Okpalla who was eased out from the club unceremoniously for daring to ask questions about their management style.

Another example was when a coach who led the team to win the league not long ago was sacked to the chagrin of some sports journalists who follow the league religiously. Some of the journalists were surprised and asked

The council also named Rudolf Shels as vice-president and Dieter Maier as second vice-president.

“We are convinced that the proposed team can continue the growth of the club,” said Edmund Stoiber, president of the board of directors.

Hopfner, 61, is also currently a member of its executive monitoring committee.

Hoeness officially resigned on Friday, after being sentenced to three and a half years in prison for tax fraud.

a top manager of the club who responded arrogantly.

The officer asked the journalists why they thought it was the coach’s savvy on the bench that earned them victory. He was alleged to have shockingly said, “ we know how we win our matches”. When told the implication of his statement, the manager begged that it was not for publication. The two scenarios paint the true picture of how administrators ruin clubs in the country.

It is rather flimsy on the part of both Pillars and Enyimba supporters to blame late start of the league for their ouster when two other clubs in the same Premier League playing in the less prestigious CAF Confederations Cup, Warri Wolves and Bayelsa United conquered their opponents from equally rival countries, Cameroun and Congo respectively.

Even if the league was not on, didn’t the clubs know they had continental assignments? The Abba Yola regime arranged for a playing tour for Kano Pillars but it was canceled by the government’s adviser whom, it was gathered, said it was a waste of resources. Such a tour could have put the club in shape for the assignment. The poor outing of both Kano Pillars and Enyimba in a year when the Nigerian league was rated highly and its products not only qualified for the African Nations Championship, CHAN for the first time but put up a respectable performance which earned them the bronze, was to say the least, disgraceful. Such must be guided against in future.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 16, 2014 — PAGE 63

CHESS: Moulding little Iyefu into a Grand Master F

IFA agent, Olusegun Aleaxander Falegan is to spearhead a new sponsorship structure for the biggest revelation of the 17th National Sports Festival tagged the Garden City Games of 2011 Iyefu Onoja who then was a seven-year old girl representing Benue state in Chess.

Onoja, daughter of a driver father stunned the experienced participants at the event to win a bronze medal at the conclusion of the Chess games at the MultiPurpose hall of the Alfred Spiff Diette Sports Complex, popularly called Civic Centre.

The young girl who incidentally also turned seven a day after winning the bronze then was only excited playing her game as a way of catching her fun and went through the first four games unbeaten until she lost in the semis and finally emerged third in the category that she featured.

Her size and age baffled many who understand the game of Chess and what it takes and that has led to her winning the award of the youngest participant and medallist at the 17th National Sports Festival.

Little Iyefu will be 10 by July

C M Y K

•Iyefu Onoja (right) after playing British Grand Master Nigel Short in Abuja two years ago. this year. Her uncle, Sleames Anderson, taught her how to play Chess in 2008. She likes playing the game.

“She was in Primary three then where she was attending God of Abraham Primary School, behind Modern Market in Makurdi.

Her coach is Andrew Onoja.

He revealed to www.gongnews.net that Iyefu at the Benue State Sports Festival won two gold medals.

Onoja Andrew is better known as Sleames Anderson.

Asked to comment on the player, he said, “what actually motivated me was that the first time she saw the game, her interest rose and she began to learn it fast. When I introduced her to the first championship, an international Chess tournament in Lagos, she chose to play a lady but she was classified as U-14 category but I knew that she

was far above that level and so I had to gamble by introducing her to the 17th National Sports Festival which is an open tournament that has no category involved and my intention was to use this medium to open the eyes of the Nigeria Chess Federation.

“I wanted them to know that it is the spirit and not the body that actually rules a man.

When I picked her up, she was three years old, with mucus in her nose and that is because experience has taught me that it is better to work with little kids than adults. At the Chess event in Lagos she was rated 3/9 but at the Benue State Sports Festival, she had two gold medals, including one from the classic events. And that is what gave her the entry into the 17th National Sports Festival, the Garden City games”.

The coach did not end there, he explained that he intends to help her get to more international competitions and to win laurels for Nigeria as they actually foresaw her performance. That is why I am so enthralled by the new FIFA agent who is brought in to deliver sustainable plans for the kids of Benue state.

Asked what he thinks can be her future in the game, “if the marketers can meet the plans they have outlined, she will be able to get advanced environment to be trained abroad and get exposed to world tournaments to represent her mother land Nigeria at the Olympics, Commonwealth games and other international events and we know that nothing stops the rising sun and what I know is that the manifestation that has taken place in Iyefu will surely also manifest more at those events.”

Asked what was the initial reaction of Iyefu’s parents when she started the game, he said, “Iyefu’s parents did not buy the idea at first until they started seeing her make news in the local tabloids in Benue before they realised their child was a star in the making.

Oyatogun for burial March 28

T

he remains of the late ace sports broadcaster, Walter Oyatogun, will be laid to rest on March 28, 2014 at the Ikoyi Cemetary in Lagos according to the funeral programmes released by the family.

C M Y K

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 16, 2014

Stick to long jump, coach advises Okagbare

By BEN EFE

N

igeria sprint star, Blessing Okagbare is hoping to get one more shot at world glory at the 2015 World Championships and the 2016 Olympics in Brazil in her elusive search for her first international gold medal.

But in the opinion of some Nigerian coaches, she ought to start digging for gold in her traditional event, the long jump, instead of chasing the pack in the talent drenched short sprints.

According to jumps coach Olu Sule, Okagbare might as well be barking on the wrong tree as she aims for the height in the sprints, because there are too many talents popping up each year even as Okagbare is not getting any younger.

“Okagbare should be concentrating on the long jump (because) she has more potential there. She is training for the 100m where there too many sprinters who are ahead of her. She should be focused on the long jump where she has enormous resources to make a potential 7.50m jump.

“She has technique and great speed, which I have seen only in Chioma

Ajunwa. Okagbare has height and long reach, she should consider this ahead of the 2016 Olympics because it is always going to be crowded in the 100m and 200m,” said Sule, a former national triple jump champion.

Okagbare reached her highest performance in 2013 when she ran 10.79 seconds to set a new African record and this gave hope to athletics officials that she might win the gold at the Worlds in Russia. But she was overwhelmed by the heat of the competition as Shelly Ann FraserPryce, Cote d’Ivoire’s Murielle Ahoure and USA’s Carmelita Jeter and others pushed Okagbare to a seventh place finishing with a time of 11.04 seconds.

Fraser-Pryce finished at 10.71..

However, Okagbare settled for bronze in the 200m after race favourite Allyson Felix pulled a muscle. But in the women long jump she won silver with 6.89m behind US Britney Recce who won with 7.01m.

“It is even going to get tougher in the years to come. It will do her a world of good if she trains only for the long jump ahead of the 2016 Olympics,” Sule added.

•Okagbare

Can Liverpool whip Man Utd at home?

L

IVERPOOL hold the whip hand over Manchester United for the first time in decades and could land a devastating blow on their rivals’ top-four challenge at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Having endured year upon year of United supremacy, Liverpool have turned the tables this season and approach today’s match 11 points above their floundering foes in the Premier League table.

While Liverpool still have eyes on the title, United’s bid for Champions League qualification is in dire straits as they trail fourth-place Manchester City by nine points, having played two games more.

David Moyes’s side have already lost at home four times in the league this season and they can expect no sympathy from a Liverpool team whose fans have endured season after season of torment at Unit-

RESULTS Hull City Everton Fulham S’hampton Stoke City Sunderland Swansea Aston Villa

0 2 1 4 3 0 1 1

Man City Cardiff City Newcastle Norwich West Ham Crystal West Brom Chelsea

2 1 0 2 1 0 2 0

DSTV BASKETBALL Royal Hoopers Police Batons Customs Bauchi Nets Immigration

54 39 61 68 47

Oluyole Warriors Islanders Union Bank Kada Stars Kano Pillars

53 48 53 64 69

ed’s hands.

Not since September 2004 have Liverpool gone into a league game at Old Trafford above United in the table and it was 23 years ago – in February 1991 – that that was last the case for a fixture played after Christmas.

Only once, in 2002, have Liverpool finished above United in the post-1992 Premier League era, but current manager Brendan Rodgers has warned against paying too much attention to the relative fortunes of the two teams.

While Rodgers has been ea-

ger to play down Liverpool’s title chances, he says that silverware, rather than success against United, will be the only reliable barometer of his team’s progress.

TODAY’S MATCHES Man Utd vs Liverpool 2.30pm Tottenham vs Arsenal 5.00pm

CROSS WORD PUZZLE ACROSS DOWN 1.Taraba capital (7) 1. Incarcerates (5) 4.Exchanges (5) 2. Nothing (3) 6.Crest (5) 3. Command (5) 7.Speared (7) 4. Cue (5) 9.Fashion (5) 5. Vapour (5) 10.Weird (5) 8. Dog (3) 11.Donor (5) 12. Nigerian state (6) 13.Domain (5) 14. Ovum (3) 17.Crestfallen (3) 19.Face (8) 15. Connected (6) 20.Pianos (6) 16. Cooked (6) 21.Much (6) 17. Glare (5) 23.Stayed (8) 18. Ill-fated (6) 24.Frozen water (3) 22. Maiden name (3) 25.Snake (5) 25. Revise accounts (5) 27.Own up (5) 26. Staggers (5) 30. Arise (5) 27. Old fable writer (5) 31. Evade (5) 28. Child (3) 32. Dotted (7) 29. Gave in (5) 34. Lariat (5) 35. Moves like a horse (5) 33. Benin chieftain (3) 36.Sowed (7)

SOLUTION on page 5

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Advert Dept: :01- 7924470; Hotline: 01-4544821; Abuja: 09-2341102, 09-2342704. Email website: sundayvanguard@yahoo.com, editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, sunvanguardmail@yahoo.com. Advert:advert@vanguardngr.com.

Internet: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: JIDE AJANI. 08111813023 All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.